It’s Over! MLB Lockout Finally Ends
The second-longest work stoppage in the history of Major League Baseball has finally ended. An 11th-hour deal, coming near the league-imposed deadline to avoid missing regular-season games, came late Thursday afternoon. When the owners ratify the agreement, something expected to be a formality, the MLB Lockout will officially be over.
BREAKING: Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal, sources tell ESPN. While it still needs to be ratified by both parties, that is expected to be a formality, and when it is:
Baseball is back.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 10, 2022
There were several key provisions in the deal. One was a higher luxury tax threshold. The league-minimum salary has increased from $575,000 to $700,000. There is a new bonus pool. Draft order changes slightly. In the past it has gone on a straight reverse of the previous year’s standings, but now there will be a draft lottery. The National League is adopting the designated hitter. In addition, according to several sources, the runner-on-second rule in extra innings and the seven-inning double header games will go away.
International Draft Discussions Will Continue
The final piece to work out was originally playoff expansion. Starting in 2022, 12 teams will make the playoffs, six per league. From 2012 to 2021 (excepting 2020), the two best non-division winners in each league played a one-game playoff. Each winner advanced to play the team with the best overall record in its league in one of the two Division Series. The other two division winners played each other in the other Division Series. After that, the Division Series winners played each other for their respective league’s pennant in the League Championship Series.
Wednesday night, an International Draft became the big contention. Thursday morning, the players association and league agreed to continue discussions on that, setting a deadline for July 25. It will be tied to qualifying offers for outgoing free agents. If the players want to get rid of the qualifying offer, they must accept an international draft. On July 25, if the players do not accept an international draft, then the qualifying offer will remain and the owners will not get an international draft.
Moving Forward from End of MLB Lockout
The end of the MLB lockout means that spring training will begin “as early as tomorrow,” according to a tweet from Jeff Passan. March 17 will most likely be the first day of exhibition games, and Opening Day will be April 7, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
More details will come as they are available.
