Report: MLB could impose pace-of-play rules if no progress made next week

While there was never a set date for the completion of pace-of-play discussions between Major League Baseball and the union, a report surfaced Wednesday suggesting the league was expecting to have negotiations wrapped up by now. But as talks continue into next week, the commissioner's office may impose new rules unilaterally if no progress is made, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.

Going forward, the league office still doesn't have a proverbial drop-dead date in mind. However, with spring training camps opening this week, time to work amicably with the union is winding down.

The report surfaces the same day Los Angeles Dodgers' closer Kenley Jansen told reporters it is "ridiculous" to think the pace of baseball is forcing fans to stop watching.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has made it his mandate this offseason to improve baseball's pace of play after the length of the average nine-inning game reached a record-high three hours and five minutes last year.

Some of the suggested pace-of-play revisions that have come out earlier in the offseason have been pitch clocks, limits to mound visits, and bullpen carts.