With Opening Day set to begin on March 31, an agreement needs to be made soon or the Rays’ season could be postponed.
Courtesy of Max Steele | The Crow’s Nest
By Max Steele
Ongoing disagreements between Major League Baseball (MLB) owners and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has resulted in players locked out of their facilities, the delay of spring training and a possibility that threatens the start of the 2022-2023 regular season.
Rays players have been unable to access Tropicana Field and have had to train and recover at private facilities, such as universities and baseball academies.
Rays’ outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has been practicing with the Spartans at the University of Tampa, making sure he’s ready to go when needed.
“I’m just going to do what I’ve been doing and prepare like we’re starting on time,” Kiermaier told Fox 13. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we get an agreement in place and we can get back with our lives.”
Rays’ pitcher Tyler Glasnow, who is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, has been directed to continue his rehabilitation recovery at a public therapy center in mid-Pinellas, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“It’s a little strange that I can’t go in [Tropicana Field] and not talking to any of the coaches,” Glasnow said. Regardless, “everyone knows where the game needs improvement, and until we see those, it won’t start.”
The lockout began on Dec. 2, 2021, when the owners unanimously voted in favor of shutting down their facilities in hopes of negotiating new collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
CBAs are legal agreements between the owners and the MLBPA that are typically ratified and implemented every five years, with the last ratification occurring on Dec. 1, 2016.
The CBAs are all inclusive, meaning they can regulate anything from wages to the length of the regular season. The main issues being negotiated during this current lockout are expanding the playoffs, protecting prospect players and limiting “tanking.”
The owners want to expand the playoffs to include 14 teams in the playoffs rather than the league’s usual 10.
This change would mainly benefit the organizations, as they receive 100% of TV revenue in the postseason as opposed to the players, according to SB Nation.
The MLBPA is fighting for the rights of prospect players —young players who are under control of their teams for their first six seasons — demanding a higher minimum salary and earlier arbitration eligibility, according to CBS.
They are also advocating for the eradication of “tanking” — when teams intentionally lose games and don’t sign talented players in order to receive MLB draft benefits – arguing this technique unfair and damages the league’s competitivity.
Since the lockout began in December, the owners and MLBPA have met multiple times and negotiated terms, but to no avail. With Opening Day set to begin on March 31, an agreement needs to be made soon or the Rays’ season could be postponed.
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