MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark.
The MLB is in the middle of its first lockout in 26 years. What are the items that have both the MLB and MLBPA can’t agree on? This article breaks down the items that are on the table that have “forced” the owners to lock out the players.
MLB: Wants to change eligibility to 29.5 years old rather than six years of service.
MLBPA: Actually wants to delay the implementation until the 2022-2023 offseason. Then would like to see it adjusted to whichever scenario occurs first. Between 5-6 service years or 30.5 years of age, then further delay until the 2025-2026 offseason. And adjust it to 5-6 service or 29.5 years of age, whichever occurs first.
Opinion: I can’t believe this hasn’t been checked off and fixed. They are so close on this. Especially with players getting called up and impacting the league at a younger age now. This seems to make complete sense and either option could be accepted.
MLB: No more penalties for teams that sign free agents who have turned down a qualifying offer.
MLBPA: The same.
Opinion: This seems agreed upon, place a checkmark next to this line item, and let’s move on.
MLB: No change or use of an arbitration system that is based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and awards won. They would also allow arbitration-eligible players to be grandfathered in or choose the new system.
MLBPA: Change eligibility back to two years (1974-1986), where it was before it was increased to three years.
Opinion: I really like the MLB option here. It’s a tangible option that incentives performance. Being that I write for a midsize market team, I prefer the three years of service prior to being arbitration-eligible.
MLB: Changing the tax rule to force teams to have a minimum payroll of $100 million that is partially funded by teams with payrolls over $180 million.
MLBPA: Raise to $245 million for the 2022 season and no more non-tax penalties.
Opinion: I hate MLBPA’s option as it doesn’t do enough to keep things competitive. With each season over the threshold, teams earn escalated penalties.
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MLB: Keep things the same
MLBPA: Creating an incentivized program to allow rookies to accrue service time for awards and hitting performance milestones.
Opinion: Service time manipulation is my least favorite thing. If a player has earned the opportunity to play at the highest level, then let the damn player play without manipulating their service time to add an extra year. Make it straightforward. It always creates a bad image. Every. Single. Time.
MLB: Draft Lottery for the top three selections
MLBPA: Draft Lottery for the bottom eight teams and be weighted based on competitiveness. The anti-tank methodology.
Opinion: Do teams really tank in the MLB? Or do they rebuild for a long period of time? I don’t like to see teams tank at all and there are teams that choose not to pursue high-value free agents to keep their payroll down, some do it and are good at the game like the A’s and the Rays and some do it and are terrible at the game like the Orioles and the Pirates.
MLB: No change.
MLBPA: Create a pool of money that bonuses pre-arbitration players based on performance through awards or WAR.
Opinion: Seems like an easy one to say yes to.
Overall: The difference isn’t insurmountable and I can’t believe that the two sides haven’t figured out how to come together on this. Get it done!
Sources: Ken Rosenthal of ESPN, Ronald Blum of Associated Press
Joe Swenson is an avid baseball fan and hates that it has resorted to this.