Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbyraz49
I'd bet OOTPBB23 would lose some income IF this isn't settled prior to exhibition games at their usual starting times.
Any rumors as to what each side wants ? Perhaps FA at an earlier age ?
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I haven't really read too much about the 'issues' since late November since, well, nothing seems to be happening.
But as I recall, the players wanted a reduction in arbitration eligibility from three years to two years and in free agency eligibility from six years to five. They also wanted a substantial increase in the salary tax threshold or have it done away with completely.
To the surprise of no one, I'm sure, the first two were 'non starters' for the owners and they wanted the salary tax threshold reduced (and I'd love to hear their supporting logic for that) but were willing to generously consider a salary 'floor' (of about $100 million I believe). You know.... to prod all those teams that have gone into 'scorched earth' rebuild mode (Baltimore Orioles, PIttsburgh Pirates, etc.) and annually have payrolls of around $50 million....while pocketing generous amounts of revenue sharing. Or building new Dominican complexes as Baltimore did, etc.
But there was much more to it than that, including issues such as FA compensation (or should it be done away with altogether), the arbitration system (the owners suggested doing away with it and awarding salaries in these cases stricly on WAR - seriously).
I'm missing a lot of things but, to summarize, the gulf between them was so vast that I hold little hope of a settlement anytime soon. Of course, I guess you actually have to meet, discuss and negotiate in order for their to be progress.
Frankly, I found the proposals from both sides extreme, absurd and well beyond reasonable. The players trying to make up for being asleep for 25+ years all in one swoop.....and the owners who've taken advantage of every loophole in the system for those 25+ years throwing dried out bones on the table.
We are going to need OOTP!!!!