With no new collective bargaining agreement reached, the MLB lockout remains ongoing. On Wednesday, two more series were wiped off of the 2022 Major League Baseball season schedule. Fans are unhappy. The players are, as well.
Shortly after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred officially canceled two more series and pushed Opening Day back to April 14 (at the earliest), the Major League Baseball Players Association released a statement in response.
Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/XLnAvwkFpm
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) March 10, 2022
A number of other players voiced their general displeasure on Twitter.
What a f@$&ing joke @mlb
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) March 10, 2022
Deadlines and ultimatums haven’t worked well so far no matter what “side” of the table you’re on or support. I just don’t understand why we need to keep canceling games and giving deadlines. Let’s just meet every day until we can do the one thing we all want. To play baseball.
— Alex Wood (@Awood45) March 10, 2022
🙃
— Taijuan Walker (@tai_walker) March 9, 2022
How I feel anytime anyone asks me “what’s going on with baseball” pic.twitter.com/0OJLOyzhTt
— Travis Shaw (@travis_shaw21) March 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/Jack9Flaherty/status/1501715006622081026
— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) March 10, 2022
New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer — who’s been arguably the most visible and certainly the best–known player throughout the negotiation period — made his feelings known as well. Namely, Scherzer voiced frustration at how the International Draft, which seems to be the biggest sticking point in this series of negotiations was brought (or not brought) to the attention of the players.
Scherzer also had the backing of (among others) St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty.
I was in FL. We never offered the Int’l Draft. We did discuss it, but MLB told us they were NOT going to offer anything for it. At that point, we informed all players & agreed to no draft.
This is MLB muddying the waters & deflecting blame. Fans, pls hang in there with us.
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) March 10, 2022
I’ll let this do the talking https://t.co/1kjTEGJ9FW
— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) March 10, 2022
Meanwhile, Flaherty’s teammate, Adam Wainwright, had his own soothing take on the matter.
To all of The fans out there…I can't wait to get back out there for y'all. Hopefully soon! Anyways, I heard this song today and it reminded me of our situation. So… this is to you @MLB pic.twitter.com/PcjVqAzNQ8
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) March 10, 2022
If there’s anything positive to take from Wednesday’s news, it’s that the sides are still talking. Unfortunately, as the terms seem to be getting closer, the feelings between the two sides only seem to be getting worse.
