The MLB lockout has now stretched on for 2 months, and with spring training scheduled to resume in a few weeks, the time crunch is real. MLB insider John Heyman reported that the nature of the negotiations while delicate at first, has somewhat regressed. With the Players union showing movement on some quarters, the same does not seem to be forthcoming from League itself.  With negotiations set to move into non-core economic issue on Feb 3 and 4, more agreement is to be expected. The Player’s Union, through their representatives, made it clear that they were unhappy with the league’s negotiations.

The League entered a lockout for the first time in 25 years on December 2nd, 2021. Commissioner Rob Manfred set out that the league only entered into a lockout for hastening negotiations, but that seem to have been unsuccessful. With the lockout entering its third month in February, the core economic issues that the player union want to deal with are pending agreement. With several meetings already having been completed, the two parties remain in a stalemate. Several non-core economic issues though seem to be dealt with. John Heyman provided the latest updates this Wednesday.

John Heyman updates

MLB insider Jon Heyman, reported on negotiations and gave some seemingly positive indications. The Player’s Union representatives, Max Scherzer and Andrew Miller spoke recently to the League; and they have made their dissatisfaction clear.

Setting out several issues that they had with the league’s negotiations, Heyman was hopeful that the unbridled honesty would push the league into some positive action.

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However, if past meetings are anything to go by then the League doesn’t seem too bullish on a timely start to the season. Spring training is scheduled to begin on 16th February and would mean that bumper negotiations take place if that is to happen on time. And while unlikely, fans can hope.

Several sportscasters have surmised that if the negotiations stretch on any longer than the last week of February then the season could likely be shortened. However, signs have been positive. The two parties seem to have agreed on several points save for key financial discussions.

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Progress in MLB lockout negotiations

The owners are looking for a 14-team playoff instead of the current 10 team structure. This seems to be largely agreeable from the players union too, for some chips in exchange though. The players seem hesitant to agree to a 14-team playoff without some kind of give-back elsewhere.  As for the universal designated hitter (DH), it’s almost certain to be a permanent presence in MLB moving forward, as both parties seem to have consensus.

However, the parties will need to act quickly if they are to have a normal season resume. Spring training games are on the docket for Feb. 26; and as Mike Axisa recently wrote, de facto deadlines for a normal 2022 spring training and regular season are fast approaching.

Truth be told, at this point, a delayed start to spring training seems highly likely. But then again what is sport if you aren’t hoping against hope?