MLB says sides 'deadlocked' after union's latest proposal

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are at an impasse in negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We were hoping to see movement in our direction to give us additional flexibility and get a deal done quickly. The players' association chose to come back to us with a proposal that was worse than Monday night and was not designed to move the process forward," league spokesperson Glen Caplin said Sunday in a statement, according to James Wagner of The New York Times.

"On some issues, they even went backwards. Simply put, we are deadlocked. We will try to figure out how to respond, but nothing in this proposal makes it easy."

The MLBPA doesn't believe its proposal was a step backward, a union official told The Athletic's Evan Drellich.

The union tabled an exhaustive offer to the owners Sunday, outlining where they are willing to compromise on the CBA and which issues will remain sticking points. However, MLB felt the proposal didn't include some verbal concessions that were discussed during talks in Florida, reports Wagner.

Starting in the 2023 season, the MLBPA would grant the league the ability to choose up to three rule changes with a minimum 45-day notice. Those recent rule proposals include a pitch clock, electronic strike zone, larger bases, and shift restrictions, according to Drellich.

MLB is reportedly pushing to introduce a 14-second pitch clock, with a 19-second clock used with runners on base, according to a report from ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The league is also open to upping the first competitive balance tax threshold from $220 million if the union compromises in other aspects, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Even further, the MLBPA would be willing to allow the CBT to include non-monetary penalties - such as the forfeiture of draft picks or a more restrictive cap on international spending - if MLB ditches the qualifying offer system for free agency, Drellich adds.

The union made additional compromises as well but seemingly remains far apart from MLB on a proposed pre-arbitration bonus pool. The MLBPA reduced its request by $5 million to $80 million, which is still double the league's highest negotiated amount.

The players also reduced the number of clubs they would like included in a draft lottery to six while the league most recently suggested five, according to Drellich.

The two sides are expected to reconvene soon but have not set a date.

This is the first offer either party has made since discussions fell apart Tuesday, leading MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to cancel the first two regular-season series.