This article was updated at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
BRADENTON, Fla. — Roughly 12 hours after Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association had seemingly discovered a path toward a new collective bargaining agreement, the two sides on Tuesday followed that same road off a steep and possibly disastrous cliff.
Despite some late-game optimism, this was still an outcome many expected — and one that could damage the sport and its reputation after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced a little after 5 p.m. that baseball would cancel the first two series of the season, the first time games were lost since the 1994-95 strike.
“My deepest hope is we get an agreement quickly," Manfred said. "I'm really disappointed we didn't make an agreement."
It was a feeling shared by countless others, although the players and baseball fans might throw a couple more descriptors into the mix.
Frustration was conveyed by MLBPA executive director Tony Clark, who spoke after Manfred and was highly critical of ownership, specifically because the lockout started Dec. 2 and the players feel like they’re being manipulated by management.
When the lockout started, Manfred called the process “defensive” and hoped it would “jump-start” negotiations. Then MLB waited more than 40 days to make an actual proposal to its players.
“Players want to play,” Clark said. “We all know that. But the reason we’re not playing is simple. A lockout is the ultimate economic weapon.
“In a $10 billion industry, the owners have made a conscious decision to use this weapon against the greatest asset they have — the players.
“But the group won’t be intimidated. I’ve seen more unity over the last few years than at any time in our recent history.”
This staring contest has featured some valid points on both sides. There’s plenty of blame to go around, too. But the biggest takeaway from Tuesday might be that the wide-angle view is far more important than a dozen games missed — assuming there’s somehow an expeditious ending to this process.
We’re talking about millionaires and billionaires fighting over how to divide more than $10 billion against the backdrop of COVID-19 and Russia invading Ukraine, within a sport that has been screaming for some sort of economic overhaul — one aimed at addressing the alarming lack of competitive balance.
The events of the past 36 or so hours are also frightening when you consider the amount of distrust and dislike they exposed. Over 13 negotiating sessions that lasted more than 16 1/2 hours Monday into the wee hours of Tuesday morning, owners and players seemed to have the framework of a deal in place.
Until, of course, it came apart at the seams, the two sides unable to close on key issues such as the competitive-balance tax, minimum salary, expanded playoffs or how much money should be diverted to younger players who outperform their contracts.
“This is not just about shifting pieces of the pie around,” said pitcher Andrew Miller, a member of the union’s executive board. “This is about getting the game that we love to work and operate effectively and perform and let us focus on what we like to do.”
How this all came about should be seen as scary for whatever happens next, even though Manfred maintained that no additional talks are scheduled and each side would probably take some time to regroup.
Seriously, what happens the next time an agreement feels close?
Furthermore, it doesn’t sound like the owners and players reside in the same solar system when it comes to some of their economic demands — the gap in bonus-pool money more than $50 million in size, with MLB unwilling to move off a luxury-tax threshold of $220 million. (The players have asked for $238 million.)
“We have a payroll disparity problem,” Manfred said. “To weaken the only mechanism in the agreement that’s designed to promote some semblance of competitive balance is just something that I don't think clubs are prepared to do right now.”
It’s great Manfred acknowledged MLB has a problem because it does. But to fans outside of baseball’s largest markets, that problem looks a little different.
Most concerning with this might be the lack of discussion centered around a salary cap and floor, which would level the economic playing field. That should, in theory, come with revamped revenue sharing, which has been another no-no for owners along with a quicker path for players to free agency and arbitration.
So schedule that next session. Just don’t plan on discussing much.
In addition to Tuesday once again demonstrating that these two sides are nowhere near compatible, MLB’s decision has ramifications. It incensed the union, which has seemingly been strengthened through this while also reminding anyone who will listen that the owners don’t have to lock out the players.
Teams, meanwhile, must deal with revenue lost and a schedule that will now include no more than 156 games — for which Manfred insists the players will not be paid. Predictably, the MLBPA has disputed that issue and promised another fight.
The Pirates will now miss three home games against the Cardinals and three more at Cincinnati. Tickets for the original Opening Day (March 31) can be used for the new one April 12 (vs. Cubs). Original April 12 tickets are still valid, though they could be subject to a comparable seat relocation. April 2, 3 and 12 tickets will also be available as credit, the team said in an email to season-ticket holders.
“We are disappointed in this news and know that you are, too,” the Pirates wrote. “MLB worked hard to prevent this situation. The league requested the assistance of a federal mediator, made significant offers to address the union's concerns and participated in nine consecutive days of negotiations, including a 17‐hour day, to reach an agreement.
“We are all committed to finding common ground with the MLBPA to get the season started and seeing you back at the ballpark.”
Unless the Pirates plan on hosting some sort of movie night, that return trip to PNC Park feels a long way off.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: March 1, 2022, 9:33 p.m.
Updated: March 2, 2022, 2:20 a.m.