After yet another failed attempt to reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday Night that an additional two series have been canceled and the MLB lockout will continue.
In a statement issued by MLB, Commissioner Rob Manfred described the latest CBA negotiations as a “last-ditch effort” for teams to play a full 162 game season.
“Because of the logistical realities of the calendar, another two series are being removed from the schedule, meaning that Opening Day is postponed until April 14th,” Manfred’s statement continued.
This coming after the MLB and the players endured a second late-night negotiation in a week.
The MLBPA would shortly respond in a statement of their own calling the decision to cancel more games “completely unnecessary.”
What’s Keeping the MLB Lockout Going?
The Players had made “a set of comprehensive proposals” to MLB and were told “substantive responses” were on their way, but had yet to hear at the time of their statement
Previously, how many teams made the Postseason and CBT Thresholds were the main topic of discussions. After an “agreement” on a 12 team Postseason and the league closing a very wide gap on the CBT front, an international draft was this round’s tipping point.
MLB wants to hold an international draft, which would mean the end of the qualifying offer.
The League offered the players three different scenarios of which all were rejected:
- Eliminate draft pick compensation, have international draft.
- Give MLB the option to reopen the CBA earlier than usual (making it a three-year deal instead of the usual five).
- Agree to the international draft and elimination of draft pick compensation.
What This Means For the Phillies
For the Phillies, this means their first homestand of the 2022 season against the A’s and Mets is no more. As of now, their first game will be played on April 14th against a divisional foe in the Miami Marlins, with their home opener being April 22nd against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The league and MLBPA are going to continue to talk tonight, but in-person bargaining is done. If they reach a deal, the two sides will agree on what number of games will be played. It has been initially suggested that makeup games could be decided through doubleheaders and adding a few additional days to the regular season.
Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire
