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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Report: 'Spring training starting on time is in peril' amid MLB lockout

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/13/22

Almost immediately after it was learned Tuesday that MLB and MLB Players Association representatives were set to meet Thursday for the first bargaining session between the parties since the start of the lockout in early December, pessimistic fans and other outsiders who have followed the situation sarcastically rolled their eyes understanding that little, if anything, would change regarding the frustrating work stoppage ahead of the third weekend of January.

Such individuals were correct.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports there's no deal between MLB and the MLBPA and that spring training starting on time with players reporting on Feb. 16 is now in doubt.

Baseball labor update: There is no deal. There never was going to be one today. MLB made a proposal. The reaction among the players was not positive. Few on either side expected it to be. The question is how soon the MLBPA counters. Spring training starting on time is in peril.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2022

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman added there's a "long way to go" before fans can see a light at the end of the figurative tunnel and know that zero games will be lost to the lockout.

MLB raised pay for younger players (higher minimum salary and more money for Super 2s) in their proposal. Players union saw overall offer as “disappointing.” No word about a counter yet. Long way to go (but fortunately there’s still time)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 13, 2022

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, it's unclear when MLB and the MLBPA will return to the negotiating table.

The first bargaining session in 42 days between #MLB and the #MLBPA ended Thursday, and just as expected, there was little movement. The timetable is unknown when they will meet again.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 13, 2022

Those looking for any reason to be optimistic on Thursday should remember that The Athletic's Evan Drellich wrote last week that, in many cases, "nothing happens until the very last minute" as it pertains to these situations because neither the owners nor players are in danger of losing money for reasons directly linked to the lockout on Jan. 13.

"The point of (a lockout) generally is to impose economic pressure. And it’s not going to happen in the beginning, because people aren’t feeling it," a source familiar with past NBA labor negotiations told The Athletic. "They’re not getting paid. The season hasn’t started. So if the point of it is to impose the economic pressure, then yeah, in theory, it’s not going to really be effective until you get to the end."

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich tweeted on behalf of baseball fans everywhere earlier in the week.