MLB and the MLB Players Association are meeting often and making progress toward a new agreement, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Heyman notes that the sides' lead negotiators, Rob Manfred of MLB and union chief Michael Weiner, are on good terms.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on December 11th, 2011, but players and owners began negotiating toward a new agreement months ago. Commissioner Bud Selig has said he's hoping negotiations go "thoughtfully, carefully and quietly" and at this point, it appears that he may get his wish.
As always, economic issues figure to be at the forefront of the discussions. The luxury tax, revenue sharing, and rules regarding team debt will no doubt surface during negotiations. The draft could also be significantly different going forward.
They need to address the umpires as well. Not so much making the correct call, but curbing the aggressiveness of some umpires and making them more accountable for their actions. Whatever is in place now sure as heck isn’t working.
Joe(?) West? I completely agree. I don’t understand how he can bump into managers and start arguments with them over and over. I’ve seen him do it a few times already this year. Also allowing him to promote his “West Vest” for umpiring equipment during games should not be allowed. Players can’t advertise things on them during games, I don’t think umpires should either.
But it is great to hear things are going smoothly. In a time where most leagues do not get serious about getting a deal done until right before the deal expires, it’s great to see baseball ahead of the game and getting it done out of the media and the courts.
Joe West, Angel Hernandez. I’m sure there are other umpires who have a reputation for being aggressive and instigating arguments. There was also that umpire who tried to push Magglio Ordonez back towards the dugout when he started arguing about being called struck out.
Whatever is in place isn’t working because no one seems to have changed their attitude.
i’d be game for changes on both fronts (ump aggressiveness and correct calling). across the board, the umpiring this year has been as bad as i’ve ever seen it. now it’s a small sample for umpires too, but the important thing here is that there never appear to be any ramifications even for consistently poor umpiring
it’s a real shame that one of the few very good umpires in the game in jim joyce had to be the guy known across the land for blowing a big call. he handled it as well as anyone could and in the process made MLB umpires in general look a lot better than they really are
It’s always a good time for labor peace in sports. But with the economy in poor shape and Baseball doing well, this year it’s essential.
It’s great to hear that the players and owners may see it the same way and are heading towards an equitable agreement soon.