Start of 2022 MLB Season Up in Air as Both Sides Still Meet Late into the Night
After more than 12 hours of negotiations, nothing substantial has come out of the negotiation sessions between the MLB Players Union and the League’s owners as both sides are said to be still negotiating into the late hours of Monday night at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.
According to Evan Drellich of the Athletic and Bob Nightengale of USA Today, there has been discussion of extending the self-imposed deadline, as both sides remain far apart on key aspects of a new collective bargaining agreement.
Whether there’s an extension of the MLB-imposed deadline of tonight is in MLB’s court, a union source said, but the sides have discussed it. Sides still said to be very far apart on key aspects of deal.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 1, 2022
Union: ‘There’s still a long ways to go.’
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2022
So while there is progress on issues, optimism should be tempered.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2022
They are not done for the night and quite likely could extend talks into Tuesday https://t.co/TFotGvFFJr
Earlier on Monday night it was reported that MLB’s Owners are willing to miss up to a month of games if an outcome is not reached. Such a scenario would be a poison pill that nobody would want to see. Even Commissioner Rob Manfred said the cancellation of games would be “disastrous.”
Cryptically, Manfred was recorded heading to his car around 6 p.m. Monday night, and when asked if there was any updates, he said “we’re working on it.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred on way back: “We’re working at it” pic.twitter.com/vasSITXu7q
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 28, 2022
Should a deal not get struck tonight or Tuesday, there is a very good chance that Opening Day, slated for March 31 will be canceled. Whether more games are removed from the regular season schedule is the next question. The longer both sides stay committed to their respective corners, the likelihood the season starts on time, or in early April at all becomes more and more unrealistic.
