MLB, the players’ union, is meeting for the first CBA discussion, sources say

Major League Baseball and MLB Players Association leaders met Tuesday for their first official negotiation session just over six months before the expiration of the sport’s collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN.

The long-awaited meeting between the parties marked the first foray into what many athletes fear could be a controversial and protracted negotiation, with the possibility of a work stoppage on the expiry of the current contract on 1 December. Relations between the league and the players have become combative in recent years, with both sides accusing the other of operating in bad faith amid multiple failed efforts to reach transactions.

The league and the union declined to comment on the talks.

At the same time, baseball has found unprecedented economic success amid more than a quarter of a century of peace at work, and players and officials also continue to express hope that differences between the parties can be offset in next semester of discussions. Both owners and players understand that the $ 10 billion a year industry could be severely affected by a labor dispute.

The meeting, which took place by video conference, included dozens of people, including the players’ management. It was the first negotiation session between the parties since the union turned down MLB’s offer for an interrupted and shortened, full-salary season that included extended playoffs. Between those discussions and the failed negotiations on the timing of the resumption of the late 2020 season, which led Commissioner Rob Manfred to the implementation of a 60-game season, mistrust between the parties deepened and fostered pessimism about the chances of a timely agreement, circulating around the game.

The negative feelings on the part of the players have faded since the last basic agreement was established, on December 1, 2016, and it has further tilted the economy of the sport in favor of the teams. Player salaries have fallen for three consecutive seasons – and are expected to fall in 2021. As the best players in the sport continue to reap massive failures – from Mookie Betts’ more than $ 300 million contracts, Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Lindor and Gerrit Cole at this year’s $ 40 million salary for Trevor Bauer – MLB’s middle class has contracted significantly.

A revision of baseball’s basic economic system is highly unlikely, sources said, citing the limited time to reach an agreement and the uninterrupted maintenance of the 1995 peace. However, the union intends to focus on spending and competitive integrity – especially promoting competition through all teams – among its priorities, with a new business. Players are also in favor of directing money to players earlier in their careers, the potential for free agency before six years of service and a solution to – or at least remedy – manipulating working time.

MLB, whose efforts to tie an extended postseason to a break this season were rejected by the union this spring, is expected to follow a larger playoff field than the 10 teams that will participate in October. The league also spent significant time and effort analyzing potential changes to the rules that would help increase and accelerate action in games, measures that could be considered at the negotiating table.