Union narrows gap with MLB but issues remain blocking deal

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Negotiators for locked-out players took steps toward Major League Baseball in a counteroffer Wednesday that still left a gap between the bickering sides after Commissioner Rob Manfred let pass his deadline to preserve a 162-game season.

Players dropped their threshold for the luxury tax to $232 million this year, rising to $235 million in 2023, $240 million in 2024 and $245 million in 2025 and $250 million in 2026.

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The union had been at $238 million to $263 million in its previous proposal of a week earlier and was within 2.5% of management's starting figure of $230 million in Tuesday's proposal. Players were within 3.2% of MLB's $242 million for 2026.

Management's desire for an additional fourth tax threshold at $60 million above the first threshold is among the contentious points remaining.

Players dropped to $65 million from $80 million for their proposed bonus pool for pre-arbitration-eligible players, a day after MLB raised its offer from $30 million to $40 million. The union is asking for $5 million annual increases, while management's offer is the same for all five years.

The union dropped its proposed minimum salary to $710,000 from $725,000, a figure rising to $780,000 by 2026. Management is at $700,000 this year, rising to $770,000. The union's proposals on the tax threshold and bonus pool were first reported by The Athletic.

Chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer, center, and general counsel Ian Penny, right, leave Major League Baseball’s office in New York, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Negotiators for locked-out players made their latest counteroffer to Major League Baseball on