MLB to make 'best offer' before lockout deadline passes

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Major League Baseball threatened to let its 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline for a labor deal pass and start canceling regular season games, saying it would make a final offer to locked out players as the clock ticked away.

The sides made progress during 16 1/2 hours of bargaining Monday but were still far apart on key issues, then recessed talks at 2:30 a.m. The union held a 2 1/2-hour call with players representatives on Tuesday and followed with an offer that MLB responded to with its threat.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"We thought there was a path to a deal last night and that both sides were closing in on the major issues," an MLB official said, speaking on the condition he not be identified by name. "They couldn't make us a CBT proposal (competitive balance tax) last night, so we agreed to extend the deadline to exhaust every option.

"The MLBPA had a decidedly different tone today and made proposals inconsistent with the prior discussions. We will be making our best offer before the 5 p.m. deadline."

The union did not publicly respond to MLB. It had cautioned when talks recessed that significant differences remained in key economic areas.

Mets star pitcher Max Scherzer and free-agent reliever Andrew Miller were present for talks, the ninth straight day of bargaining and the 90th day of the lockout.

Commissioner Rob Manfred had said Monday was the last possible day to reach an agreement that would allow the minimum time needed for spring training in order to play openers as scheduled on March 31.

The union said it didn’t necessarily agree to the timeframe.

The sides agreed Monday, subject to an overall deal, to expand the