Other Sports The MLB lockout thread - Page 14

Deberg_1990 · 12-02-2021, 07:06 AM

Discussssss

To our Fans:

I first want to thank you for your continued support of the great game of baseball. This past season, we were reminded of how the national pastime can bring us together and restore our hope despite the difficult challenges of a global pandemic. As we began to emerge from one of the darkest periods in our history, our ballparks were filled with fans; the games were filled with excitement; and millions of families felt the joy of watching baseball together.

That is why I am so disappointed about the situation in which our game finds itself today. Despite the league’s best efforts to make a deal with the Players Association, we were unable to extend our 26 year-long history of labor peace and come to an agreement with the MLBPA before the current CBA expired. Therefore, we have been forced to commence a lockout of Major League players, effective at 12:01am ET on December 2.

I want to explain to you how we got here and why we have to take this action today. Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to be competitive. It’s simply not a viable option. From the beginning, the MLBPA has been unwilling to move from their starting position, compromise, or collaborate on solutions.

When we began negotiations over a new agreement, the Players Association already had a contract that they wouldn’t trade for any other in sports. Baseball’s players have no salary cap and are not subjected to a maximum length or dollar amount on contracts. In fact, only MLB has guaranteed contracts that run 10 or more years, and in excess of $300 million. We have not proposed anything that would change these fundamentals. While we have heard repeatedly that free agency is “broken” – in the month of November $1.7 billion was committed to free agents, smashing the prior record by nearly 4x. By the end of the offseason, Clubs will have committed more money to players than in any offseason in MLB history.

We worked hard to find compromise while making the system even better for players, by addressing concerns raised by the Players Association. We offered to establish a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history; to allow the majority of players to reach free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate any claims of service time manipulation; and to increase compensation for all young players, including increases in the minimum salary. When negotiations lacked momentum, we tried to create some by offering to accept the universal Designated Hitter, to create a new draft system using a lottery similar to other leagues, and to increase the Competitive Balance Tax threshold that affects only a small number of teams.

We have had challenges before with respect to making labor agreements and have overcome those challenges every single time during my tenure. Regrettably, it appears the Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation over compromise. They never wavered from collectively the most extreme set of proposals in their history, including significant cuts to the revenue-sharing system, a weakening of the competitive balance tax, and shortening the period of time that players play for their teams. All of these changes would make our game less competitive, not more.

To be clear: this hard but important step does not necessarily mean games will be cancelled. In fact, we are taking this step now because it accelerates the urgency for an agreement with as much runway as possible to avoid doing damage to the 2022 season. Delaying this process further would only put Spring Training, Opening Day, and the rest of the season further at risk – and we cannot allow an expired agreement to again cause an in-season strike and a missed World Series, like we experienced in 1994. We all owe you, our fans, better than that.

Today is a difficult day for baseball, but as I have said all year, there is a path to a fair agreement, and we will find it. I do not doubt the League and the Players share a fundamental appreciation for this game and a commitment to its fans. I remain optimistic that both sides will seize the opportunity to work together to grow, protect, and strengthen the game we love. MLB is ready to work around the clock to meet that goal. I urge the Players Association to join us at the table.
Manfred

Read a letter from the Commissioner: https://t.co/P4gRGSlfsu pic.twitter.com/zI40uGLTni
— MLB (@MLB) December 2, 2021

Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/34uIGf762W
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) December 2, 2021

Ocotillo · 01-19-2022, 06:44 PM

The players union is preparing a response to MLB’s recent proposal to be delivered within days. MLB made an offer to curtail service time manipulation and tanking and pay players w/2-plus years of service time more. Players were disappointed the biggest issues weren’t address.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 19, 2022

BWillie · 01-19-2022, 06:46 PM

Can we just get rid of baseball to begin with, does anyone even want it? I don't think anyone has watched a baseball game outside of the ones their teams play since 1979.

Red Dawg · 01-19-2022, 06:52 PM

The rich and spoiled.

Ocotillo · 01-19-2022, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

14 teams in playoffs is absolute lunacy.

Playing 162 games to eliminate just 53% of the league. https://t.co/kwWRNkR1yL
— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) January 13, 2022

Ocotillo · 01-20-2022, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Can we just get rid of baseball to begin with, does anyone even want it? I don't think anyone has watched a baseball game outside of the ones their teams play since 1979.

I feel you.

Last year's World Series made me realize that it's a tough sell to fans who don't root for either team when the Braves starting pitcher Tucker Davidson -- who hadn't been in the majors since June -- can't make it through two innings and then the game favors the team with less bullpen attrition that day. It's a big commitment to watch for four-plus hours each game in a best-of-seven series.

The owners and players should be working together on bettering the game by reducing three true outcomes rather than going to war.

Almost all of the issues can be resolved by mid-February but the one that worries me is the MLBPA wanting five-year free agency. I think the owners will never go for it and are willing to shut down the entire season to win that battle.

BWillie · 01-20-2022, 01:35 AM

MLB makes it so hard to just watch a game easily at home. Fix that shit. Need to get the common fan riled up about two teams that arent even in their area.

Deberg_1990 · 01-20-2022, 03:25 PM

I guess this is happening too. I had no idea the Rays wanted to play in Montreal??

BREAKING: #Rays season-sharing plan with Montreal killed by MLB, search back on for a full-time home https://t.co/pH2pAHBUf0
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 20, 2022

ChiefsCountry · 01-20-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I guess this is happening too. I had no idea the Rays wanted to play in Montreal??

BREAKING: #Rays season-sharing plan with Montreal killed by MLB, search back on for a full-time home https://t.co/pH2pAHBUf0
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 20, 2022

They wanted to play June, July, August in Montreal and April, May, September and postseason in Tampa.

Ocotillo · 01-24-2022, 03:59 PM

Source: MLBPA withdraws proposal to allow players to get to free agency before 6 years. Made modified revenue sharing proposal as well https://t.co/NGqnSCf55K
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 24, 2022

Ocotillo · 01-31-2022, 02:37 PM

A new CBA in baseball isn’t close. A breakdown of how far apart MLB and the Players Association are, with @Ken_Rosenthal https://t.co/vsyqQ8M4q7
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 31, 2022

Ocotillo · 01-31-2022, 10:38 PM

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association plan to meet Tuesday for the next round of collective-bargaining talks, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 1, 2022

dlphg9 · 02-01-2022, 09:19 AM

These idiots are going to miss games aren't they?

**YayMike** · 02-02-2022, 07:26 AM

Any news from the meetings yesterday? Seemingly quiet…

**cabletech94** · 02-02-2022, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YayMike

Any news from the meetings yesterday? Seemingly quiet…

No news is not good news.

Ocotillo · 02-02-2022, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YayMike

Any news from the meetings yesterday? Seemingly quiet…

The meeting between the Major League Baseball Players Association and MLB is over. Little progress was made. The on-time opening of spring training at this point is in grave danger and, frankly, would take a miraculous deal coming together to rescue. A delay feels inevitable.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 1, 2022

On other proposal the MLBPA modified, service-time manipulation, union dropped the number of players who would be awarded a full year of service time. Previous proposal (below) was to give service to players in top 30 or top 10 by WAR depending on position. Now: top 20, or top 7 pic.twitter.com/cSbTgHxj48
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 1, 2022

On service-time manipulation proposal as well: The MLBPA also newly incorporated (and modified) an element of MLB’s service-time manipulation: potentially rewarding a draft pick to a team
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 1, 2022

12-02-2021, 07:06 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $64454	The MLB lockout thread Discussssss To our Fans: I first want to thank you for your continued support of the great game of baseball. This past season, we were reminded of how the national pastime can bring us together and restore our hope despite the difficult challenges of a global pandemic. As we began to emerge from one of the darkest periods in our history, our ballparks were filled with fans; the games were filled with excitement; and millions of families felt the joy of watching baseball together. That is why I am so disappointed about the situation in which our game finds itself today. Despite the league’s best efforts to make a deal with the Players Association, we were unable to extend our 26 year-long history of labor peace and come to an agreement with the MLBPA before the current CBA expired. Therefore, we have been forced to commence a lockout of Major League players, effective at 12:01am ET on December 2. I want to explain to you how we got here and why we have to take this action today. Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to be competitive. It’s simply not a viable option. From the beginning, the MLBPA has been unwilling to move from their starting position, compromise, or collaborate on solutions. When we began negotiations over a new agreement, the Players Association already had a contract that they wouldn’t trade for any other in sports. Baseball’s players have no salary cap and are not subjected to a maximum length or dollar amount on contracts. In fact, only MLB has guaranteed contracts that run 10 or more years, and in excess of $300 million. We have not proposed anything that would change these fundamentals. While we have heard repeatedly that free agency is “broken” – in the month of November $1.7 billion was committed to free agents, smashing the prior record by nearly 4x. By the end of the offseason, Clubs will have committed more money to players than in any offseason in MLB history. We worked hard to find compromise while making the system even better for players, by addressing concerns raised by the Players Association. We offered to establish a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history; to allow the majority of players to reach free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate any claims of service time manipulation; and to increase compensation for all young players, including increases in the minimum salary. When negotiations lacked momentum, we tried to create some by offering to accept the universal Designated Hitter, to create a new draft system using a lottery similar to other leagues, and to increase the Competitive Balance Tax threshold that affects only a small number of teams. We have had challenges before with respect to making labor agreements and have overcome those challenges every single time during my tenure. Regrettably, it appears the Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation over compromise. They never wavered from collectively the most extreme set of proposals in their history, including significant cuts to the revenue-sharing system, a weakening of the competitive balance tax, and shortening the period of time that players play for their teams. All of these changes would make our game less competitive, not more. To be clear: this hard but important step does not necessarily mean games will be cancelled. In fact, we are taking this step now because it accelerates the urgency for an agreement with as much runway as possible to avoid doing damage to the 2022 season. Delaying this process further would only put Spring Training, Opening Day, and the rest of the season further at risk – and we cannot allow an expired agreement to again cause an in-season strike and a missed World Series, like we experienced in 1994. We all owe you, our fans, better than that. Today is a difficult day for baseball, but as I have said all year, there is a path to a fair agreement, and we will find it. I do not doubt the League and the Players share a fundamental appreciation for this game and a commitment to its fans. I remain optimistic that both sides will seize the opportunity to work together to grow, protect, and strengthen the game we love. MLB is ready to work around the clock to meet that goal. I urge the Players Association to join us at the table. Manfred Read a letter from the Commissioner: https://t.co/P4gRGSlfsu pic.twitter.com/zI40uGLTni — MLB (@MLB) December 2, 2021 Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/34uIGf762W — MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) December 2, 2021
Posts: 68,709

01-19-2022, 06:44 PM	#196
Ocotillo Veteran Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Red state Casino cash: $0	The players union is preparing a response to MLB’s recent proposal to be delivered within days. MLB made an offer to curtail service time manipulation and tanking and pay players w/2-plus years of service time more. Players were disappointed the biggest issues weren’t address. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 19, 2022
Posts: 3,122

01-19-2022, 06:46 PM	#197
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1508759	Can we just get rid of baseball to begin with, does anyone even want it? I don't think anyone has watched a baseball game outside of the ones their teams play since 1979.
Posts: 52,955	1 0

01-19-2022, 06:52 PM	#198
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $1192858	The rich and spoiled. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 33,176

01-20-2022, 01:35 AM	#201
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1508759	MLB makes it so hard to just watch a game easily at home. Fix that shit. Need to get the common fan riled up about two teams that arent even in their area.
Posts: 52,955	1 0

01-20-2022, 03:25 PM	#202
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $64454	I guess this is happening too. I had no idea the Rays wanted to play in Montreal?? BREAKING: #Rays season-sharing plan with Montreal killed by MLB, search back on for a full-time home https://t.co/pH2pAHBUf0 — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 20, 2022 __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,709

01-24-2022, 03:59 PM	#204
Ocotillo Veteran Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Red state Casino cash: $0	Source: MLBPA withdraws proposal to allow players to get to free agency before 6 years. Made modified revenue sharing proposal as well https://t.co/NGqnSCf55K — Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 24, 2022
Posts: 3,122

01-31-2022, 02:37 PM	#205
Ocotillo Veteran Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Red state Casino cash: $0	A new CBA in baseball isn’t close. A breakdown of how far apart MLB and the Players Association are, with @Ken_Rosenthal https://t.co/vsyqQ8M4q7 — Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 31, 2022
Posts: 3,122

01-31-2022, 10:38 PM	#206
Ocotillo Veteran Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Red state Casino cash: $0	Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association plan to meet Tuesday for the next round of collective-bargaining talks, sources tell ESPN. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 1, 2022
Posts: 3,122

02-01-2022, 09:19 AM	#207
dlphg9 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $-1680347	These idiots are going to miss games aren't they?
Posts: 20,535	1 0

02-02-2022, 07:26 AM	#208
YayMike Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Baltimore Casino cash: $-1354783	Any news from the meetings yesterday? Seemingly quiet…
Posts: 1,186