Major League Baseball listed Monday, Feb. 28 as the official deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement if the regular season is going to start on time. No official news has come yet but optimism is in short supply.
For starters, Robert Murray of FanSided reported on Monday that the MLB Players Association has organized a training facility in Arizona if the players continue to be locked out.
The MLBPA has organized a “fully staffed” stadium and facility for players to train in Mesa, AZ, according to sources familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 28, 2022
Evan Drelich of The Athletic added that a facility in Florida is likely, as well.
The MLBPA has organized a training facility in Arizona, and there’s interest in doing the same in Florida, source says. @ByRobertMurray on the Arizona facility
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 28, 2022
It’s hard to think the MLBPA would be doing this if it felt a deal was likely.
Still, that could just be the players association being cautious. Individual players, though, don’t seem any more optimistic.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper and Atlanta Braves reliever Luke Jackson were among those to make pitches to teams in other, foreign leagues — which is allowed.
MLB players have been quite active on social media today. Here’s Bryce Harper: pic.twitter.com/HicvVhOZcU
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) February 28, 2022
.@TorosDeTijuana you up?
— Luke Jackson (@YaBoy77) February 28, 2022
New York Yankees outfielder Joey Gallo took a more broad approach.
I’m new here @LinkedIn pic.twitter.com/6ICuCH7aBc
— Joey Gallo (@JoeyGallo24) February 28, 2022
Other players, such as New York Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon and Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman took aim at Major League Baseball.
https://twitter.com/JTaillon50/status/1498381641374474248
Ofrob still stuck in Gilead. https://t.co/6WmXR32NlP
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) February 28, 2022
Facts. https://t.co/djKRFKJsZa
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) February 28, 2022
San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford tweeted out an article from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. One response was to detail how much money Crawford makes compared to the average person. Crawford responded, pointing out that nothing being negotiated is for the benefit of veteran players like himself.
And nothing in our negotiations is to benefit me, or any other player that has been fortunate enough to reach arb or free agency. So I’m not sure what your point is
— Brandon Crawford (@bcraw35) February 28, 2022
Chris Cotillo of Masslive.com reported that the negotiations are expected to go into the night and possibly Tuesday morning. With that, it’s possible that an eleventh-hour deal could be struck.
But judging by their actions on Twitter, several players seem to believe that the lockout will continue through at least Opening Day.
