Labor peace in Major League Baseball will continue.
Multiple reports Wednesday night point to a new collective bargaining agreement reached between the MLB and MLBPA. The current CBA expires midnight Thursday.
Sources: MLB and the MLBPA have agreed on a five-year deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 1, 2016
Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reported additional details.
Hear in the new CBA there will be NO 26th roster spot. The current conditions with 25 and expanded rosters in Sept stays.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 1, 2016
Source: Luxury-tax thresholds could rise in something close to this progression over new five-year CBA: $195M, $197M, $206M, $209M, $210M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2016
. @MLB teams will no longer forfeit first-round pick to sign free agents under new CBA, source says.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2016
Besides the obvious — avoiding a lockout — it was important for baseball to avoid a lockout after such an exhilarating 2016 postseason, which included a memorable World Series, in addition to the World Baseball Classic returning in 2017. The game is growing and that progress won’t be slowed or erased due to a work stoppage.
This news also means next week’s Winter Meetings, where a lot of trades and free-agent signings normally happen, will proceed as planned.
Thumbnail photo via Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports Images
