(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
  Major League and Players Association reach new agreement
Nederlands
 NEW YORK, New York (USA) -
On Thursday-afternoon (March 10), it was reported that Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) have come to terms on a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.
When the new agreement is ratified by the club-owners, the regular season could start on April 7.
The new agreement ends a lockout that lasted just over three months.
On March 1, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the first two series (six games per team) of the upcoming season had officially been cancelled, as there was still no agreement back then and a deadline had been expired.
The new season was scheduled to open on March 31.
On Wednesday (March 9), it was announced that the next two series also were cancelled, meaning the new season would not start before April 14.
It was reported that when the new agreement is ratified, Spring Training could begin coming Sunday and the first exhibition games could be played March 17.
Ten days ago, it was announced that the exhibition season would not begin before March 12.
Also, when the new agreement comes into effect, clubs are allowed again to make trades or sign players.
As of now, some 200 Free Agents are still without a contract for coming season.
When the first two series were cancelled, it was said that these games would not be re-scheduled.
But on Thursday, it was announced that, as part of the new agreement, a full schedule of 162 games would be played, meaning the cancelled games will be re-scheduled.
Included in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is an increase of the mininum salaries.
For coming season, the minimum salary will be 700,000 dollar, which will be the largest increase in the sports history.
The minimum salaries for the following years will be 720,000 dollar (2023), 740,000 (2024), 760,000 (2025) and 780,000 (2026).
Other agreements were reached on the Competitive Balance Tax, a Draft Lottery, a Bonus Pool for Pre-Arbitration based on awards and statistics, the International Draft, a 12-team postseason, an universal Designated Hitter and some Rule Changes.
For this last category, a special committtee will be installed in 2023 to oversee rules changes, which include a pitch clock, the sizes of the bases and an automatic strike-zone.
(March 10)
|
