One of the union’s top priorities has been to get young, pre-arbitration players paid more, and Manfred said the league shares that goal. “We have proposed an agreement that is better in every respect than the expired contract.” “We have listened carefully throughout this negotiation and we have moved towards the players on key areas in an effort to address their concerns,” Manfred said. The two sides have agreed to a universal designated hitter, the elimination of draft pick compensation and the institution of a draft lottery to address players’ concerns about teams not competing. Though a deadlock remains, there has been progress made, Manfred said. Manfred said that once a deal is reached, it would take less than a week for spring training to start, and then about 28 days for players to be game-ready for the start of the season, meaning the new CBA would need to be made by late February to avoid missing games. Time is dwindling for an agreement to be made that would allow the season to start on time. “Whether or not that happens in the process, I just don’t know, but it’s a good proposal.” “We’re going to make a good faith, positive proposal in an effort to move the process forward,” Manfred said. The league and players association will next meet on Saturday - more than a week since the two sides last met - when the owners will submit a new proposal that Manfred believes will be progressive. “I am an optimist, and I believe we will have an agreement in time to play our regular schedule,” Manfred said at a press conference in Orlando, Fla. ![]() And exactly seven weeks away from Opening Day on March 31, Manfred seems confident that won’t change, either. The MLB commissioner, 70 days since he imposed a lockout after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired, said Thursday that the status of spring training has not changed, despite a growing likelihood that it will be delayed. Rob Manfred is remaining optimistic, even as Major League Baseball’s lockout continues with less than a week before spring training is scheduled to begin.
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