Negotiations on new labor deal continued early Tuesday

Negotiators for Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association worked deep into the night in an effort to finally end the lockout that began December 2nd and threatened to delay the start of the 2022 season.

Talks began at 10 a.m. Monday, and were still going on at 1 a.m. Tuesday, an hour after the deadline Major League Baseball had set to begin canceling regular season games.

MLB wants to expand the postseason from 10 to 14 teams, and according to published reports, the players agreed to 12 teams. According to The Athletic, MLB offered the Players’ Association a higher minimum salary and greater contribution to the prearbitration pool if they agreed to 14 teams. Talks continued on the competitive balance tax.

The negotiators decided to remain at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida until a deal was done.

Commissioner Rob Manfred had said that four weeks of spring training was needed before the scheduled March 31st openers, and that he hoped camps could open three days after an agreement.