[ ] SPORTS Just The Facts
TERMS OF THE NEW BASEBALL CONTRACT
BY RYAN G . COOK
Thankfully , baseball is back in action after the MLB ’ s 9th work stoppage . It was the first in almost three decades . A work stoppage is a strategy used by ownership during a labor dispute , and a lockout is a tool ownership can utilize to control negotiations . In a lockout , the management tells workers : don ’ t show up . While in a strike , workers tell management : we ’ re not going to show up . Leagues can operate without a new collective bargaining agreement in place ; but it is common practice to use a lockout rather than wait for a possible strike .
“ You want to control the timing of the dispute ,” MLB Commissioner , Rob Manfred said , “ If you play without an agreement , you ’ re vulnerable to a strike at any point in time . What happened in 1994 is the M . L . B . P . A . picked August when we were most vulnerable because of the proximity of the large revenue dollars associated with the postseason . We wanted to take that option away and try to force the parties to deal with the issues and get an agreement now .” Nonetheless the arguments and negotiations ended just in time and The MLBPA voted to ratify the agreement by a 26-12 vote and the MLB owners voted 30-0 in favor , making it official .
Here are some of the new terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement : Term : Five years from 2022 to December 1 , 2026
• Minimum Salaries : The major league minimum salary will increase from $ 570,500 to $ 700,000 and increase by $ 20,000 per season through 2026 . The CBA sets minimum salaries for players on 40- man rosters , with a significant increase for players under their second major league contract or with at least one day of major league service time . Free agent players can negotiate higher salaries .
• Expanded Playoffs : 12 teams will make the playoffs starting in 2022 . The two division winners with the best records in each league will receive a bye . The third division winner will be the highest seed in the first round and the wild card team with the best record will be the next . These two teams will host a threegame first round series . Starting in 2023 , all teams will play each other , including teams in both leagues , in a more balanced schedule .
• Game Operations : o Larger bases from 15 to 18 inches squared o 14 pitching clock possibly 19 with man on base o Ban on defensive shifts must have two infielders on each side of second base o No game 163 in case of ties o The universal designated hitter will be used in both leagues starting in 2022 o Seven inning double headers and ghost runners in extra innings are gone
• Sponsor Patches and Helmet Decals : Clubs allowed to make sponsorship agreements for patches on jersey sleeves and decals on helmets . Estimated value $ 6-8 million per team , per year
• Sports Betting : A new policy for the players governing commercial arrangements with sports betting companies .
• Roster Size : MLB will continue the 26-man roster limit , increasing to 28 in September , with a limit of 13 pitchers on the roster and 14 in September .
• Trade Deadline : The Commissioner may set the Major League Trade Deadline on a date between July 28th and August 3rd .
76 BAY WINDOW