Report: MLB, union's minor leaguers agree to historic new CBA
Major League Baseball and the minor-league players of the Major League Baseball Players Association will make history by agreeing to the first-ever collective bargaining agreement for minor leaguers, union officials told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The reported CBA, which must still be approved by MLB owners, is for five years and doubles the pay at all levels for minor-league players.
Details on pay increases in the minor leagues:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 30, 2023
Complex league: From $4,800 per year to $19,800
Low-A: $11,000 to $26,200
High-A: $11,000 to $27,300
AA: $13,800 to $30,250
AAA: $17,500 to $35,800
Players will be paid almost year-round, aside from a six-week break in the winter.
Players signing at age 19 or older would now be under club reserve for six years rather than seven, according to The Athletic's Evan Drellich.
Additionally, MLB would have the right to reduce the maximum number of players on the domestic reserve list beginning in 2024, Drellich adds. The current maximum is 180 in-season and 190 during the offseason but would be reduced to 165 in-season and 175 in the offseason.
The reported agreement comes as the court system approved a $185-million settlement between MLB and minor leaguers for backpay after nearly a decade of litigation.
Good news. Today the court approved our $185 million settlement with MLB for minor leaguers. 9 years of litigation. A landmark result that will provide much-needed backpay to thousands of ballplayers, and that yields important changes to the contract.
— Garrett Broshuis (@broshuis) March 29, 2023
Minor-league salaries and living conditions have been major points of contention between the two sides for some time.