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The decision comes after team representatives and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) could not reach a deal on a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The CBA determines players’ terms and conditions of employment.
“We worked hard to avoid an outcome that’s bad for our fans, bad for our players and bad for our clubs,” Manfred told reporters. “I want to assure our fans that our failure to reach an agreement was not due to a lack of effort by either party.”
Manfred said that with representatives of the players union headed to New York, there is no possibility of an agreement until Thursday, at the earliest. That meant training camps could not meaningfully operate until March 8. The league has said players would need four weeks of Spring Training before the regular season could begin.
“The unfortunate thing, maybe the most unfortunate thing, is that (proposed) agreement, the one we’ve offered to our players, offered huge benefits for our fans and for our players,” he said.
The players’ union said in a statement that players — and fans — are “disgusted, but sadly not surprised.”
“From the beginning of these negotiations, Players’ objectives have been consistent — to promote competition, provide fair compensation for young Players, and to uphold the integrity of our market system,” the union statement reads. “Against the backdrop of growing revenues and record profits, we are seeking nothing more than a fair agreement.”
The union said the owners have been trying to break their players’ fraternity and will fail.
“We are united and committed to negotiating a fair deal that will improve the sport for Players, fans and everyone who loves our game,” the union said.
The commissioner said games were canceled and not postponed because it is not feasible to reschedule interleague games. Manfred also said that players will not be paid for canceled games.
Both sides were at the negotiating table in Jupiter, Florida, for more than 16 hours on Monday which…
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Source : cnn
