MLB and MLBPA gain no traction in first meeting since lockout

*Photo from Fox Sports*

   For the first time since the lockout began, MLB and the MLBPA finally had a bargaining meeting to discuss proposals for a new CBA. Shocker, it ended with very little progress. After receiving a proposal from the league, the MLBPA is reportedly unhappy with it after the meeting concluded on Thursday, according to a report by ESPN's Jeff Passan.

   It was the first meeting between the league and the players association in 43 days, and the meeting itself lasted about an hour. As of Saturday, there are no future meetings scheduled, but the MLBPA is reportedly planning to make a counter-offer to the proposal made by the owners. Of course, time is at a premium, as spring training is scheduled to start in about a month.

   The key points in the proposal made by the league involved changes to service time manipulation, a key issue for the players as well. It also includes changes to the arbitration system to players with two or more years of service time, a changed version of a draft lottery to determine the order of the top draft pick selections, and the ability for teams to earn extra draft picks if team's top prospects have success early after being called up to the majors.

   Another part of the proposal by the owners included a tiered proposal for player salaries, which could make the league minimum salary $600,000 for players with a year or less of service time, and $700,000 for players between one and two years of service time. The players have reportedly said that they want a $775,000 minimum salary for first year service time players.

   Big issues that were not discussed in the meeting include changes to the free agency system, as the players are fighting to reach free agency quicker, while MLB wants to leave it at 6 years. Also not discussed was the luxury tax threshold, which the players want to raise, while the owners also do not want to change that.

   Spring training is currently scheduled to start on February 16, which is when pitchers and catchers report for most teams in the league. If spring training is to start on time and no delays will be made to the 2022 season, then the owners and players association would likely have to agree to a new CBA by the end of January.