MLBPA rejects MLB's offer for federal mediator to enter labor negotiations during lockout

The Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday rejected MLB's request for federal mediation in negotiation between the parties for a new collective bargaining agreement.

«Two months after implementing their lockout, and just two days after committing to players that a counterproposal would be made, the owners refused to make a counter, and instead requested mediation,» the MLBPA said in a statement. «After consultation with our Executive Board, and taking into account a variety of factors, we have declined this request.»

The move pretty much eliminates any chance for an on-time start to spring training. Some in the industry, on both the league and player sides, fear that the March 31 opening day could be at risk if no resolution is reached by the end of February.

The league believes it committed to responding to the MLBPA but not necessarily to making a counterproposal, sources familiar with the talks told ESPN. In an effort to help resolve the sport's lockout, Major League Baseball on Thursday requested the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a governmental agency that attempts to help resolve labor disputes, sources told ESPN.

The request was made to potentially insert the presence of a neutral party to end a work stoppage now in its third month. Mediation is not mandatory, and the MLBPA needed to agree to the involvement of a third party.

«We don't think it speeds up the process at all,» MLBPA executive board member Andrew Miller said via text. «History tells us in our sport, it hasn't been favorable to reaching a deal.… Our position is that it is quite the opposite from negotiating and being ready to negotiate.»

MLB locked out players on Dec. 2 after the sides could not reach an