MLB Lockout Update: Deadline Extended, Hope For 2022 Season To Start On Time

Major League Baseball’s self-imposed deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement has been extended, offering hope that the league won’t cancel games for the 2022 season. If MLB and the MLB Players Association can reach a deal by 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, the lockout will be over and Opening Day will start on time.

The two sides had 13 meetings Monday with talks lasting until around 2:30 a.m. EST Tuesday. Enough progress was made to hold off on canceling games, but there is still work to be done for a new CBA to be agreed upon.

The biggest sticking points remain competitive-balance tax thresholds, the minimum salary and the bonus pool for pre-arbitration players, ESPN reports.

The league has reportedly proposed a luxury tax of $220 million for the 2022 season. The union has sought $245 million, allowing teams to spend more money on payroll before being penalized.

MLB has offered to increase the minimum annual salary to $675,000, according to ESPN, while the players are seeking a $775,000 minimum salary.

Expanded playoffs have been agreed upon. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, 12 teams will make the postseason, increasing the number from 10 teams in previous years.

Opening Day 2022 is scheduled for March 31. The league has said it needs four weeks of spring training before regular-season games can be played.

It’s been 27 years since MLB games were lost because of a labor dispute. The typical 162-game season was reduced to 60 games in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.