Baseball will not start on time this year.
Despite reports of growing optimism late Monday night, the players and owners failed to reach an agreement by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday after the MLBPA unanimously voted down the league’s “best and final” offer.
With no deal in place, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Opening Day would be canceled as well as the first two series of the regular season.
Among items in the final proposal from the owners included:
-Pre-arbitration pool of $30 million (a $5 million increase)
-No change on the competitive balance tax (CBT) thresholds, which was $220 million the next three years, $224 million in 2025, $230 million in 2026
-Minimum salary at $700,000 and increasing to $740,000 by end of the deal (MLBPA wanted $725,000 minimum).
Manfred said that the sides need to regroup and would not be able to meet again until Thursday the earliest.
What is clear is just how disappointed and upset baseball fans are as they voiced their displeasure on social media upon learning that at least the start of the season will be delayed.
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