Tag: mlb

Thats Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB No Deal Around and Around It Goes

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Chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer, center, and general counsel Ian Penny, right, seen after negotiations at the Major League Baseball offices leave for the day in New York on Wed Mar 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

MLB: No Deal – Around and Around it Goes…

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball Commissioner Mr. Rob Manfred, Jr. spoke today after many days and hours (some that went from day to night) on the latest situation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which should be re-named (in my opinion) The Collective Bargaining Disagreement. This is what Mr. Manfred just told the baseball world this afternoon from New York City.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today:

“In a last-ditch effort to preserve a 162-game season, this week we have made good-faith proposals that address the specific concerns voiced by the MLBPA and would have allowed the players to return to the field immediately. The Clubs went to extraordinary lengths to meet the substantial demands of the MLBPA. On the key economic issues that have posed stumbling blocks, the Clubs proposed ways to bridge gaps to preserve a full schedule. Regrettably, after our second late-night bargaining session in a week, we remain without a deal.

“Because of the logistical realities of the calendar, another two series are being removed from the schedule, meaning that Opening Day is postponed until April 14th. We worked hard to reach an agreement and offered a fair deal with significant improvements for the players and our fans. I am saddened by this situation’s continued impact on our game and all those who are a part of it, especially our loyal fans.

“We have the utmost respect for our players and hope they will ultimately choose to accept the fair agreement they have been offered.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: MLB and union far apart on Collective Balance Tax

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Major League Baseball Players Executive Tony Clark and the players are pretty much dug in on issues of the pre arbitration bonus pool and Collective Balance Tax. The owners and union met for 90 minutes on Sun Mar 6, 2022 and adjourned until next week Mon Mar 14th in Jupiter Florida (USA Today file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Amuary, under the latest offer from the MLB players union the agreement would allow a 14 second pitch clock when the bases are empty and a 19 second clock when there are runners on base, larger bases, but we should say after 90 minutes of meeting on Sunday the two sides broke off talks without an agreement and will meet again next week Monday.

#2 Other issues that were proposed the union lowered pre arbitration bonus pool going from $85 million to $80 million. The owners want a $30 million bonus pool on this bullet point it leaves a huge $50 million gap between the two sides.

#3 Amaury the hottest button in the talks is the Collective Balance Tax the union didn’t budge from it’s $238 million to a $263 million tax growth. The league proposed a slow climb on the CBT starting at $220 million to $230 million. Four owners have voted no on the players proposal and it’s been the sticking point in these negotiations.

#4 The union wants a minimum salary of $725,000 with a $20,000 raise for each season. MLB wants a $700,000 minimum with an annual $10,000 raise.

#5 The union has asked for a draft lottery of the top six pick and MLB wants the top five picks this could be one issue that could agree on one way or the other.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB History of Work Stoppages

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Former Major League Baseball Players Association Executive the late Marvin Miller who organized the first strike in MLB history in 1972. Here is Miller addressing players of the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox during spring training 1977 (New York Times file photo)

MLB History of Work Stoppages

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

MLB History of Work Stoppages (strike=players) (Lockout=Owners) caused by humans.

Date Days Reason

April 1972 13 Strike

February 1973 18 Lockout

Feb-March 1976 17 Lockout

April 1980 8 Strike

June-July 1981 50 Strike

August 1985 2 Strike

Feb-March 1980 32 Lockout

Aug 1994-March 1995 232 Strike

December 2021-Present 91 Lockout *

*2022 MLB cancels first two series of the regular season that was to begin on March 31.

Join Amaury Pi for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB: Owners and Players No Deal – – Season on Life Support

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The ball and chain of the MLB lockout continued when owners and players were far apart on the major issues at the lockout negotiations in Jupiter Florida for the ninth straight day of in person meetings (file photo from the Athletic)

MLB: Owners and Players No Deal – – Season on Life Support

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Jupiter, Florida… Owners and players’ union representatives negotiated for 16 hours, beginning Monday, Feb. 28 at 10AM until around 4 AM Tuesday the 1st of March. Both sides were dead locked this morning.

The main sticking point is the CBT (Competitive Balance Tax). Negotiations were extended after the first deadline expired. The owners made the last proposal and it was rejected unanimously by the players union. And Adios! everybody left and went home empty handed.

It has been 91 days since MLB locked out the players. The lockout started on December 2, 2021. It was thought some progress was made but not enough to close a deal that would run the business of baseball until 2027.

It has been a heck of a roller-coaster of a ride during these past eight continuous days of negotiations. Meetings have been held at the St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training park, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in sunny Jupiter, Florida.

Major League Players’ Association leaders agreed unanimously not to accept MLB’s final proposal and there will be no deal on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before today’s 5PM ET deadline. MLB threatened to cancel its March 31 Opening Day without a new deal. Owners also said, as late as Sunday, they were willing to cancel the entire April calendar of games.

A sad situation for the game of baseball, and for all in the business of baseball that has a financial interest. This includes the ancillary people, self-employed, media, reporters, radio and TV stations, announcers, stadium workers, vendors, food truck drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers, local restaurants, the hospitality people and many more.

In other words all the people that depend on the baseball industry to put food on their table, pay their mortgage, pay the car note, the rent and raise their kids, are “up a creek without a paddle”. All because people that rule the business, owners and players, billionaires and millionaires, could not get their own greedy ways. In my book, and overall, I blame booth sides – owners and players. A $5 gallon of gas doesn’t affect them much.

One thing I do agree with this Commissioner, (which I agree few times), this is “a disastrous outcome” to the game. A sport that once was called “The National Pastime”, today has become “The National Joke” .

Amaury Pi Gonzalez will update you on the MLB lockout at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Whose the pressure on most MLB or the Players as both sides continue to meet today; plus more news

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Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper going to the dugout after striking out against the Miami Marlins in file photo on Sat Oct 2, 2022 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. Harper is seriously considering joining the Japanese League if the lockout continues at length (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury:

#1 Amaury, Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Union negotiated until 2:30 AM this morning and agreed to meet again this morning. It was reported that there were gaps in some of the major issues and that some progress was made. This is the ninth day in a row of negotiations between both sides.

#2 Amaury update us on the two options the owners presented to the players on one of the major deals that looks like it can get worked out. A. 14 playoff teams, a minimum salary of around $700,000 and around $40 million in a bonus pool divided among the top pre-arbitration players. or B. 12 playoff teams, a minimum salary of around $675,000 and around $20 million in the pre-arbitration bonus pool. 

#3 Amaury, NHL announced that the NHL immediately has cut all ties with the Russian hockey leagues and any league affiliated with Russia because of the attacks and invasion on Ukraine. The league will cease doing business with any Russian league and freeze any new players coming to the NHL. The NHL currently has 50 Russian players who can stay on board with the their NHL teams.

#4 Amaury, It’s a very difficult time for the Russian players and their families who have been put in a rock and hard place. The Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin said that he hopes for peace and knows that this will be a long tried and true test for NHL Russian players and their families.

#5 Florida Marlins CEO Derek Jeter is stepping down from the top position and he also is giving up being a part owner as well, Jeter who came over from the New York Yankees after retiring to be CEO at the Marlins.

#6 Jeter’s first act of duty when took over as CEO in 2017 was to fire long time former Marlins players who worked in the front office, Andre Dawson, Tony Perez, Jeff Conine, and former manager Jack McKeon which were unpopular moves at the time.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB says a deal must be in place by 5 pm today or first week of regular season will canceled

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Both MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (left) and MLB Players executive Tony Clark (right) are seen at 2017 World Baseball Classic in file photo. Both MLB and the Players Union have agreed to extend negotiations until 5 PM today in Jupiter FL Tue Mar 1, 2022 (file photo from Bleed Cubbie Blue)

MLB and MLB Players called it a night at 2:30 AM EST and will resume negotiations later this morning

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Union reported at 2:30 AM that there are still some gaps in some of the major issues. Both sides will resume meeting later this morning but MLB has said that if an agreement is not met by 5:00pm EST today the first week of the regular season will be canceled which is scheduled to start on March 31st.

Owners and players negotiated past the “deadline” that had been established by Commissioner Rob Manfred, which was 12:00 midnight, Feb 28. According to the Commissioner and MLB baseball that deadline, if not met, would have canceled at least Opening Day March 31.

A day prior to this agreement the owners said they will be ready to cancel all the games in the month of April. MLB locked out the players last December 2. The season is suppose to begin on March 31.

If a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is agreed upon it would expire in 2027.

More details to come.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez with all the latest on the MLB-MLBPA negotiations on Tuesday’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Flores left millions on table won’t drop lawsuit; Packers Rogers hedging Adams staying on whether he’ll stay or not; plus more

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Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (left) and Dolphins former coach Brian Flores walk off the field after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Miami on Oct 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said that he declined to sign a separation notice after leaving the Dolphins that would have silenced him from speaking out about the team discriminating by firing him. Flores by not singing the separation notice left millions of dollars behind but it also freed him up to speak out against the Dolphins firing him.

#2 Green Bay Packers Aaron Rogers quarterback said that he’s not sure if he’s returning next season. One of the key things that could keep Rogers in Green Bay is if the Packers sign wide receiver Devante Adams. Adams is to become a free agent in March and a lot hinges on Adams coming back to keep Rogers in Green Bay.

#3 In the MLB lockout negotiations the players union agreed to go down from 80% to 75% of the players that could go for arbitration after two seasons but wanted to up on the minimum salary structure. MLB saw this as a step back as the two side who met Tuesday are digging in.

#4 Its hard to believe Jessica but a 1997-98 Kobe Bryant Metal Gems card sold for $2 million to a private buyer the deal was brokered by PWCC Marketplace the deal was the highest purchase for a Kobe basketball card.

#5 Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was said to be using the NBA All Star game last Sunday to put the Lakers on notice that he might want a trade in the off season. LeBron 37 is in the last year of his contract and said that he wanted to go out playing with his son before he retires and said during the All Star break that he would consider coming back to Cleveland to finish his career.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Popular A’s Players could be Traded

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Oakland A’s slugger Matt Chapman could be on the trade block once the lockout is over along with many other key A’s players (AP file photo)

Popular A’s Players could be Traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–As the negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida, between MLB and the MLPA, there are potential trades. These trades cannot happen until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed on by both sides by the owners and players.

The negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida and according to Commissioner Rob Manfred if by the 28th of this month they do not come to an agreement, games scheduled to begin on March 31 (Opening Day) season would be in jeopardy and MLB games would begin to be cancelled every day and taken off the schedule. If the lockout continues.

Some big names are still on the trading block, although not much is happening at this time. Perhaps the biggest name is that of World Champions Atlanta Braves, first baseman Freddy Freeman.

The Braves offered him a five year $135 million contract, but is reported he is looking for a six-year deal. Hard to see how the Atlanta Braves cannot resign him. There still time for the Braves to keep one of their most popular players since Hank Aaron in Atlanta.

As far as the A’s, these established players could be on the move, (not necessarily all of them)  Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montás and Lou Trivino. A fire sale?  It could happen, as the A’s are looking to trim payroll and hope to remain competitive with a load of prospects that they would receive in return.

#1 Most probable to leave Oakland: Matt Olson who could is in high demand. If the Atlanta Braves  cannot resign their All Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, Atlanta is a good place for him after all he was born there, 27 years ago.

Another place for Olson, the New York Yankees, who might not be able to keep Anthony Rizzo at first base. Matt Olson ended tied for #5 in home runs in the American League (2021) with 39. Olson has won two Gold Gloves and three Fielding Bible Awards, and was an All-Star in 2021.

Right after the 2021 season ended and prior to MLB lockout on December 2, the Yankees were first to show interest in the slugger, who could be a menace at Yankee Stadium, where the ball really flies to right field.

#2 Possibility: Matt Chapman, one of the best third basemen in the game who has won three Gold Gloves, the Yankees were rumored to seek his services, Chapman defensive reputation is such, that the Yankees brass believe they could even use him as their everyday shortstop.

Other teams include: Seattle, Tampa Bay, Colorado, LA Dodgers and Toronto. However, Chapman is an arbitration eligible player with two more years of control by the A’s. He is due to make a $9.5 millions this season.

#3 Chris Bassitt who enjoyed his best season in 2021 and was selected to the All Star game. Bassitt has been coveted by a handful of teams including the LA Angels, who are still in need of more starting pitching. Bassitt had a remarkable 2021 season.

He got hit in the head by a line drive in Chicago in the month of August, but completed  his best season to date, 12-4, 3.15 ERA in 27 games started, pitched 157 1/3 innings  and recorded 159 strikeouts. Good starting pitchers are not in great supply these days, so the possibility of Chris Bassitt leaving Oakland, in my opinion, is over 50%.

Other possible A’s to depart Oakland via trade: Pitchers Frankie Montás and Sean Manaea. After Bassitt, Frankie Montás was the best starter for the A’s. Sean Manaea is a good strong lefty with experience and he could easily fit on many teams either in the American or National League.

Reliever Lou Trivino is a possibly specially when closer Trevor Rosenthal who signed  a 1-year deal in 2021 for $11 million, required two surgeries and never threw a single pitch for the club, could be ready to pitch this season.

But the biggest news for the Oakland Athletics in this 2022 season remains the conclusion of their search for a new ballpark. The Oakland City Council recently voted 6-2 in favor to certify the environmental impact report for the A’s proposed stadium project at Howard Terminal.

A’s President Dave Kaval mentioned that was as positive step to keep the A’s in Oakland, but also reiterated he is working in parallel plans with Oakland and Las Vegas.

Only in Baseball: It was reported that Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was offered a 13 year $350 million contract and rejected it. Born in República Dominicana, Soto, just 23 years old, is regarded by many in baseball as the best left handed hitter in the game, last season he ended with a .313 average 29 home runs and 95 runs batted in.

Finally regarding the current lockout: According to Associated Press MLB players would lose around $20.5 million daily for each regular-season day missed. The owners much more than that.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Angel pitcher Matt Harvey testified that he gave percocet to Skaggs

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Former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Harvey testified that he gave percocet pills to former pitcher Tyler Skaggs in the Angels clubhouse during the 2019 season (photo from insidehook.com)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Los Angeles Angels Communications Director Eric Kay who is facing 20 to life for distributing opioids to former Angels pitcher the late Tyler Skaggs which were fentanyl laced and killed the Angels pitcher.

#2 You got to know both Skaggs and Kay while broadcasting Angels game for the Angels TV Network knowing both Skaggs and Kay did this whole story shock you knowing the clean cut characters on the surface of these two the Angel player and employee?

#3 You talked highly of former Angeles vice president of communications Tim Mead who at one time in this case was also being investigated but was found not to be involved with Kay.

#4 Although Kay is up for sentencing on June 28 with a minimum sentence of 20 years former Angels pitchers CJ Cron and Matt Harvey testified in court and that Harvey received the percocet laced pills from Kay. Harvey testified he had given the percocet pills to Skaggs in the clubhouse.

#5 Tim Mead left the Angels and later worked as president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown but left the job. Was the reason for his leaving Cooperstown based on the Eric Kay opioids distribution story which blew up and there were questions about if Mead was involved which later Mead was not involved?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaruy’s News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Mayor Schaaf says A’s project will be a positive change for Oakland

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Artists rendition of Oakland A’s new ball park with surrounding offices and retail (image from AP News)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry how important was the vote for the Howard Terminal project yesterday by the Oakland City Council?

#2 A’s team president David Kaval said the A’s have never been this far and the vote is an important step for the City of Oakland and that the A’s project has never been this far before and that he vote is a milestone.

#3 Now the next step is for the city to negotiate the final terms of the new ballpark, affordable housing, retail, public transit to the park and benefits for the neighborhood.

#4 Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said that any legal challenge has 270 days according to state law which could shorten any delay.

#5 City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas who said she wants to see that project delivers the economic and community benefits that Oakland needs. Also city council member Carroll Fife who represents the district where Howard Terminal is located said that the is moving fast. Also residents of West Oakland and Chinatown have expressed concern about traffic in their neighborhoods.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com