Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Stieb II
MLB suggested arbitration.
The PA rejected the idea.
So while I agree with you, I wouldn't hold your breath.
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The latest I saw was that they were so far apart that they weren't really even on the same playing field. An arbitrator is less likely to come to a "fair" conclusion and instead go kind of all or nothing in favor of whoever states their case better. If I was the MLBPA on the bonus pool deal in particular I'd be very, very skeptical that the league wouldn't continue to lock them out if an arbitrator said "yeah, I think having a $110M bonus pool for pre-arb players makes more sense than a $15M pool" just due to the sheer difference in distance. As it stands, any arbitrator worth their salt is going to look at that and say "hey guys, I highly recommend you all go back and negotiate with each other, because whichever way I rule, one of you is going to be very, very upset" (which by the way is exactly what the arbitrator who ruled on the reserve clause back in the 70s did).
Arbitration would be fine and might still be OK if/once the two sides are within shouting distance of each other.