MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark yesterday expressed confidence a new labor deal could be reached prior to the Dec. 1 expiration of the current five-year pact. Similar to prior public comments on CBA negotiations, both Manfred and Clark said many core issues have been laid out since formal talks began in Spring Training with positive progress on multiple fronts. "I continue to believe we will be successful in making an agreement without interruption," Manfred said. But the two sessions did reveal some key points of divergence between labor and management camps. Manfred in particular said a potential reduction of the regular-season schedule would likely result in less money for players due to a drop in revenue. But Clark argued that fewer games and more rest could lead to greater performance by star players and in turn more fan interest and revenue. "I don't agree there would need to be a discussion about a loss of salary or a rollback of salaries," Clark said, adding that fixating on any particular number of regular season games is meaningless without correcting other stress points on players within the schedule (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
NO INTERRUPTION EXPECTED: In N.Y., Tyler Kepner writes "no one expects a strike or a lockout to shut down an industry with annual revenue" of more than $9B. Manfred said, "I continue to believe we will be successful in making an agreement without an interruption." Kepner notes the "old acrimony" between the league and union "is largely gone." However, there "are still labor battlegrounds." Manfred "wants 'a more transparent system' for international amateurs, if not specifically an international draft, which the union has long opposed." The qualifying-offer system, implemented in '11, also "has restricted options for many free agents" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/13). Manfred said, “You really got the issues, including the big issues, out early, got proposals on the table. And we had a really great chat about the process, how do you move the process? I think we have an agreement on how that has to happen, how we’re going to put some smaller things to bed, try to make agreements, get momentum” (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 7/12).
CONFIDENT IN DRUG TESTING: In DC, Barry Svrluga writes both sides have "talked about the rash of positive drug tests this season, several of which have been followed by the players saying they didn't know how the banned substance ended up in their system." Manfred said the league is "really confident" in its drug-testing program. He added, "I don't know how (the banned substance) got there. Maybe the player doesn't know how it got there. I know it's there. And I know it's against our rules" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/13). Clark said, "The testing program is remarkably comprehensive, and the tests themselves are remarkably sensitive. As a result, we suggest (to players) how important it is to be aware of what you put in your body, the supplements you take, the food you eat, where you eat it" (MLB.com, 7/13).
SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: Manfred said that the "startling 14% spike in home runs this season over last is not the product of juiced baseballs or juiced players." Manfred: "We think it has to do more with the game this time around because we are comfortable that we are doing everything possible on the performance-enhancing-drugs front" (USA TODAY, 7/13). On Long Island, David Lennon notes Manfred "quickly tried to create as much distance as he could between the modern game and the pre-testing era." Manfred: "The increase in the number of home runs takes place against a very very different backdrop, right? It takes place against the backdrop where Major League Baseball does 22,000 drug tests a year" (NEWSDAY, 7/13). He added the jump in home runs "has to do with the way pitchers pitch and the way hitters are being taught to play the game" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/13).
