MLB players, owners to start labour talks two years early

NEW YORK • Major League Baseball and its players’ union reached an unprecedented agreement Thursday to discuss renegotiating their labour contract that has three seasons remaining, part of a deal that includes modest rule changes for 2020 and drops pitch clocks until 2022 at the earliest.

Players have been furious at slow free-agent markets during the first two off-sea- sons of the five-year labour contract, set to expire Dec. 1, 2021. None of the previous 11 collective bargaining agreements dating to 1966 has been overhauled in mid-agreement, except for limited areas defined by the sides when the deal was signed.

“It remains to be seen what the union’s going to ask for, what we’re going to ask for and whether we reach an agreement,” deputy commissioner Dan Halem said. “It’s a positive sign we were able to reach an agreement with the union on rule changes and hopefully, we can build on that.”

Ordinarily, the sides would have started negotiations in March 2021. The union proposed major economic changes this off-season that management refused to consider, such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League, addressing service-time rules that affect eligibility to free agency and salary arbitration. Also, adding provisions to the amateur draft that would make teams less likely to jettison veterans in favour of rebuilding.

“I think the common ground that we were able to find here has cracked open a door to a broader conver- sion,” union head Tony Clark said. “And that broader conversion we believe is necessary and in the best interest of both parties. How things manifest themselves moving forward remains to be seen.”

While there is no deadline, as a practical matter the sides would have to agree to major economic changes before free-agent negotiations start, on the sixth day following the World Series.

“Teams have the right to know what the rules are before they start making decisions regarding what their teams are going to look like,” Halem said.

As part of the agreement, for the 2019 season:

❚ Trade waivers will be eliminated, meaning no player can be traded after July 31 through the end of the regular season. Players who clear outright waivers can still be claimed and will be eligible for the post-season if they are in the organization before Sept. 1. The sides are discussing when trades can resume, with after the League Championship Series or after World Series among the possibilities.

❚ Mound visits without pitching changes will be cut from six to five.

❚ MLB has the right to cut half-inning breaks to two minutes this year, down from 2:05 for most games and 2:25 for nationally televised games.

❚ Fan voting for the All-star Game will be divided into two rounds, with the top three vote-getters advancing for all positions except the outfield, for which six will move on.

❚ A joint management-union committee will study effects of potential changes to the strike zone, the height of the mound and the distance from the mound to the plate. It is to issue its recommendations by Dec. 15.

❚ Each team will start the 10th inning with a runner on second in the All-star Game and spring training games.