With Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players’ Association expiring at midnight Wednesday evening, the league’s 30 owners voted to lock out players beginning today, creating the first work stoppage since 1994-95.
MLB officials met multiple times this week with their union counterparts along with players on the MLBPA’s executive council, but there was not nearly enough runway for the sides to hammer out an agreement during what’s expected to be the most contentious CBA negotiations since 2002.
Instead, commissioner Rob Manfred, at the request of owners, will freeze all league business until an agreement is reached. That means no trades, no free-agent signings and no players allowed inside club facilities.
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While this technically is a work stoppage, the timing of the CBA’s expiration offers both parties a chance to reach agreement before any games – exhibition or regular season – are lost.
Pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training beginning Feb. 15, with exhibition games starting 11 days later.
Opening Day is set for March 31.
