Negotiators threw skeptics a curve ball on Thursday, announcing they’d reached an agreement for baseball to return after a weekslong stalemate.
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, paving the way for opening day on April 7, according to a statement from the MLB.
“Once the CBA is finalized, teams around the league will turn their attention to completing their offseason business, as more than 200 players remain on the free-agent market, including notable names such as Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, Kris Bryant and Trevor Story,” the MLB wrote.
PLAYERS REJECT MLB’S FINAL OFFER, MANFRED CANCELS FIRST TWO SERIES OF REGULAR SEASON
Both sides still need to ratify the agreement before it is made official. Spring training camps are expected to open on Sunday if the deal earns approval.
The executive subcommittee for the player’s association voted 26-12 in favor of the agreement, according to ESPN.
The eagerly awaited deal will mark the end of the league’s 99-day lockout, which saw opening day pushed back twice.
Read more: https://t.co/lRou2YWEmu pic.twitter.com/wVmeXmtmlh
— MLB (@MLB) March 10, 2022
Thursday’s deal allows for a full 162-game season to be played and is expected to include increases in players’ minimum salaries, the introduction of a universal designated hitter, and opening up the postseason to 12 teams, among other items.
Just one day prior, the MLB announced that opening day was postponed for a second time until April 14 as talks stalled.
The player’s association called the MLB’s decision to cancel additional games “unnecessary” in a tweet Wednesday, saying the “players want to play.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The competitive-balance tax was one of several key economic aspects of the deal that divided the sides, the outlet report.
The MLB signaled that the four series that were canceled will be rescheduled as part of the agreement.
