2022 MLB Lockout
On Dec. 1 2021 at 11:59 pm EST the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between Major League Baseball (MLB) players and the team owners, expired. Prior to that happening the baseball owners voted unanimously to force a work stoppage that very day. The last work stoppage in the MLB occurred during the 1994-95 players strike.
This labor stoppage has been categorized as a lockout that’s rooting from baseball’s management side. The League and the players union have been far apart on a new CBA. The team owners initiated the refusal and would not permit work to be done. The lockout instituted a transaction freeze and postponed the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft. This would be the first time since 1920 that there was not a Rule 5 Draft. The Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40 man roster to select certain non 40 man roster players from other clubs. CBAs are deals made between the Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, the labor union, and business and charitable foundations of MLB players.
Depending how long a lockout lasts in MLB it means free agency is on hold, no trades, players are barred from using team facilities, winter meetings are canceled, and the Rule 5 Draft is postponed. The spring training schedule is already imperiled but the full regular season will come true.
The reason why we are in a lockout is because a new CBA has not yet been agreed upon and the MLB owners are unwilling to allow the offseason to proceed without one. As the deadline approached MLB players took to Twitter to express their unhappiness with the league and the owners with how negotiations were handled. Some players change their avatars to a blank faceless player, while others added memes or videos showcasing their displeasure.
ESPN reported on Thursday, March 10, 2022 that the MLB lookout is over. The 2022 MLB lockout lasted for 99 days. The MLB and the MLB Players Association reached a tentative agreement today on a new collective bargaining agreement. This was the second longest work stoppage in MLB history. Even though spring training did not open up on time the two missed series will be made up as doubleheaders in season and three days will be backed on to the end of the regular season. The CBA will govern the owner and players relations for the next five years.
The union voted to approve a new proposal by a 26-12 margin. A simple majority or 20 votes is all that is required for the new agreement to pass. The owner imposed lockout can be lifted and the offseason will start back up again. MLB teams are set to play a full 162 game season and opening day is scheduled for April 7, 2022. Players will have to report for spring training by March 13, 2022.
In the end both sides got a little something. One of the more important items the owners received was a 12 team postseason format while the players got more money for their younger players. Will fans forgive this whole lockout mess by Opening Day? Fortunately, baseball fans will get to see a full regular season, regardless.