Report: Latest MLB-MLBPA meeting lasts 15 minutes
Labor negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA aren't going well.
The league and union met for 15 minutes Thursday amid the ongoing lockout, according to Joon Lee of ESPN. The work stoppage has now lasted 78 days after the old collective bargaining agreement expired in early December.
MLB didn't find the talks productive and said it won't budge on the amount of time it would take for a player to qualify for arbitration, per Evan Drellich of the Athletic.
The league informed players that a new deal must be in place by Feb. 28 for the regular season to start on time, Drellich reports. Opening Day is scheduled for March 31.
MLB negotiator Dan Halem and union negotiator Bruce Meyer talked for an additional 20 minutes during a side session after the meeting, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. The two sides are reportedly expected to meet Friday to discuss non-core economics.
On Thursday, the MLBPA proposed lowering the percentage of players eligible for arbitration after two years of service time from 100% to 80%, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The league is apparently at 22%, which was the mark under the old CBA.
The union also wants the pre-arbitration bonus pool raised to $115 million from the previous ask of $100 million, since the money would be distributed to 150 players instead of 30, according to Drellich. MLB is reportedly offering $15 million for 30 major leaguers, per Heyman.
Spring training games are still scheduled to start Feb. 26. Players were slated to report to camps earlier this week but haven't because of the labor impasse.