The sport’s collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1 and the expectation is the owners will immediately lock out the players. An offseason lockout would freeze all transactions on Major League rosters until new rules are in place and likely force the cancellation of the annual Winter Meetings (except the minor-league portion).
The length of a potential lockout is unknown. The faster it’s resolved, the less it’s a threat to disrupt the 2022 season. Spring training is set to begin in the middle of February and the regular season is scheduled to start on March 31.
What are the core issues between owners and players?
There are a lot of issues for the owners and players association to solve. Four issues, however, seem to be at the forefront of the talks:
1. Incentives to tank
2. Service time manipulation
3.Paying young players earlier in their careers
4.Finding more value from free agency
What are the major on-field changes?
It’s widely expected there will be a universal designated hitter implemented for next season, so pitchers will no longer hit in the National League. Pitchers collectively hit .110 last season while designated hitters hit a combined .239.
The playoffs will likely expand – ESPN already acquired the TV rights to the additional postseason round. It could be seven teams per league (three division winners and four wild cards) with a best-of-three series in the first round of the postseason, though the league had eight teams per league (three division winners, three second-place teams and two wild cards) during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Manfred, at the All-Star Game, said seven-inning doubleheaders and the runner at second base to begin extra innings were unlikely to remain in place.
Could the lockout disrupt the regular season?
Stay tuned.
