Major League Baseball Avoids Lockout in the Eleventh Hour with New CBA
On the eve of the collective bargaining agreement expiring, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to a new deal that will avoid a lockout
Multiple Major League Baseball insiders have reported that a new collective bargaining agreement has been verbally agreed to. The deal will extend over five years, giving baseball a 25-year streak without a work stoppage.
Source: MLB and the MLBPA have agreed on a new collective-bargaining agreement. Labor peace in baseball will continue.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 1, 2016
Among the issues reportedly holding the CBA from being agreed upon include a potential international player draft, the luxury tax, length of schedule, and qualifying offers.
First reports are that the luxury tax will begin at $195 million, and rise during the course of the agreement to around $210-$215 million. Also, no additional changes to the 25-man roster will be made.
Hear new CBA will have 60-70 pct penalty for those extremely over threshold, about $250M payrolls or greater. Currently highest is 50 pct
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 1, 2016
There will be no international draft, as the owners wanted, but teams will be capped to spending $5-$6 million on bonuses on international players.
Teams will also no longer forfeit first-round pick to sign free agents under the new collective bargaining agreement. There will be a loss of a draft pick for signing free agents who receive a qualifying offer, but they will not be first round picks.
Turns out draft-pick compensation won't disappear. Teams over threshold lose a 2nd- & 5th-round pick. Under threshold: lose 3rd-round pick.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 1, 2016
The deal must be ratified by Major League Baseball and the Players Union. Commissioner Rob Manfred will meet with the owners on Thursday.
Stay tuned as the terms of the newest collective bargaining agreement will be announced in the very near future.