Sources - MLB, players' union still far apart after latest meeting yields no game-changer in CBA negotiations

JUPITER, Fla. — Five hours in the boardroom on Monday — sometimes together, sometimes in their own caucus — didn't equate to major progress between MLB and the MLB Players Association as the sides remain far apart on a new collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN.

In the offices overlooking the spring field where the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins train, leadership from both sides began what is an important week of negotiations in order to preserve Opening Day on March 31.

Already, the start of spring training has been delayed with games postponed until at least March 5 as the owners continue to impose a lockout on players.

On Monday, the league increased its commitment in a pre-arbitration pool to $20 million — an increase of $5 million since its last offer — while adding another team to the lottery in its new NBA-style draft proposal. The moves were consistent with the incremental adjustments both sides have made throughout the months of negotiations.

Major economic issues, including the competitive balance tax, minimum salaries and revenue sharing weren't addressed in a meaningful way on Monday, according to sources familiar with the talks.

The league believes it's the union's turn to compromise in a proposal regarding the CBT after recently tweaking its latest offer with modest sized increases in the final three years of the next collective bargaining agreement. The last year would call for a first tax threshold of $222 million with stiffer financial penalties throughout the system. The union wants to see a bump up to $245 million as soon as next season without the penalties being worse.

Even with the increase in the pre-arbitration pool by the league, the sides still remain far apart on that number.