Wednesday, November 23, 2016

STRIKE: The Grinch That Stole 2017 Baseball Season?

It hasn't happened in 21 years—a lockout that shuts down Major League Baseball. However, this might be the year that talks break down between baseball owners and the players' union. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is due to be signed on December 1—a week from tomorrow. Negotiations have been extremely slow and owners are sending signals that unless agreement is reached on a host of issues—particularly free-agency draft-pick compensation and the international draft—a shutdown could happen. This all may be owner bluster, but it also might be a test of new Commissioner Rob Manfred's resolve. Stay tuned—you may be watching AAA ball in April.