Tag: MLBPA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Players union want temporary A’s home deal with MLB; plus more news

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A look at MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark seen here talking at the 2022 ALCS in Houston at Minute Maid Field. Clark and the union would like to resolve where the players are going to play after the 2024 season regarding the Oakland A’s. (AP photo file)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury discussion on Bally’s plans to implode the Tropicana to make space for the Las Vegas A’s nine acre ballpark is still on hold until the relocation plans are submitted by the A’s and voted on by the MLB owners.

#2 A vote on the A’s relocation could take place within the next two months and shovels in imploding the old Tropicana tower could take place as early as January.

#3 The MLB Players Association has informed MLB that they need to know where the players will be playing in the interim while the Tropicana is under construction. The Players Union has said they would need to know if they’ll be playing their games between 2025-27 at Las Vegas Ballpark home of the Triple A Aviators. The union needs to know so they could inform it’s members.

#4 Amaury, we didn’t get a chance to ask you about former A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami when he was sent packing after Wednesday’s game. Fujinami was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Easton Lucas. The O’s are coming on strong and Fuji can help a team like that?

#5 Amaury, the A’s had won two straight before loosing their last two games no doubt that the Houston Astros are tough customers and A’s pitching had a tough time pitching to the Astros Kyle Tucker who hit three home runs on Friday night in Oakland.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does 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: MLB Commissioner– If no deal by the 28th -The regular season is in Jeopardy

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Yankee Stadium under lock and key as the MLB Lockout continues since Dec 2, 2021 (image from the New York Post)

MLB Commissioner: If no deal by the 28th -The regular season is in Jeopardy

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It was on December 2, 2021, that Mr.Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball ordered a lockout on behalf of the owners. Until today’s announcement in New York by Mr.Manfred, two months and 18 days have passed-by and MLB (owners) and the MLBPA (players association) are not very close to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

According to reports, today’s meeting lasted 15 innings, sorry, 15 minutes I meant to say. Ironically, when they meet they are fast meetings; exactly what baseball is trying to do, make the games shorter!

Spring Training was to begin this week, and the first Spring Training games are scheduled in eight days. Obviously, that is not going to happen. One thing both sides agree (and it has never been an issue) players need four weeks of Spring Training.

The Office of the Commissioner did not give us the official delay of Spring Training if there is any, and now Manfred is ringing the alarm that if nothing happens by the 28th of this month, the regular season is in jeopardy.

Meantime, the economies of Arizona and Florida, which do very well during Spring Training with fans spending money in hotels, restaurants, baseball games, and all type of entertainment in these two states is suffering and will continue to suffer if they ever do anything in Spring Training.

For Arizona, it might be a bigger deal than Florida. After all, Florida announced recently they set a new record for tourism last year with 117 million domestic visitors.

Analysts say the new record was a combination of Florida’s successful less strict mandates for Covid and the weather which is always the biggest attraction in what today is the fourth most populous state in the country, only California, Texas, and New York have larger populations than the Sunshine State.

On Thursday MLB arrived to hear the Players Union latest proposal and this is what happened:

The MLBPA backed off its request for arbitration for all players within two plus years of service and requested that 80% of players go into the system. Also, the union requested an increase in its per-arbitration bonus pool asks from $100 million to $115 million. This was reported all happened inside those furious 15 minutes and, Adiós, Hasta la Vista!

By the time you are reading this on Friday morning, more than likely, Commissioner Manfred will make another announcement. It is truly a game they’re playing, by posturing and making statements to look good in the eyes of the most important people in this negotiation, the fans.

Although they are not at the table in the middle of these two groups the fans are the most powerful, just like a voter has a vote come to Election Day, the fans have the most powerful power of the purse, for nobody will force you to attend watch or listen to a game. Some fans have become more than frustrated; they are cynical like never before.

Keep in mind, that although we should always respect serious negotiations between Management and Labor, this is not your typical negotiation between boss and employee for minimum wages, this is at another level, it is basically by two very “well to do” sides on how to slice the pie.

Stay tuned for more because I am sure there are many acts to follow in this Circus.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB and Players Union to meet Thursday January 13

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MLB union chief Tony Clark, right, and lead union negotiator Bruce Meyer at a press conference last Thu Jan 6, 2022 in Arlington. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Clark and Meyer hope to solve the lockout as MLB and the Players Union meet Thu Jan 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

MLB and Players Union to meet Thursday January 13

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Commissioner Rob Manfred on behalf of MLB announced the current lock-out on December 2, 2021.

Here some of the most interesting issues they are hope to address and eventually come to agreement.

1-Minimum salary: A rookie at the end of 2021 salary was $570,000. The players union is looking for a raise that could go for a minimum of between $700,000 to $750,000 and there could be a compromise here. Today baseball rookies have the lowest salary among the four top pro-sports league. Here are the others: NBA: $925,000, NHL: $775,000, NFL $660,000. While MLS is $81,000. (All players have to pay taxes and a fee to their respective agents)

2-Free Agent: Today a rookie becomes a free agent when he reaches his sixth year of service. The MLBPA thinks it should be five years, not six. Unlike the minimum salary this one could be tougher to come to an agreement as the owners do not see it the same way as the players. You cannot ‘split the baby’ here, is either one or the other. The owners always want to keep a player under control for as long as they can.

3-Expanding the Playoffs: This one is about the owners wanting to have 14 teams in the playoffs, while the players want 12. Of course with 14 teams there will be more revenues. But some say it diminishes competition, the season is already a long 162 game campaign. But, do you want a team with 75 wins to be in the Playoffs? However, there is Money here and never bet against money. Television loves this. I think there is a good chance this makes it to the owner’s delight of 14 playoff teams.

4-NBA Style Draft Lottery: If above is approved and the postseason expands to 14 teams then the remaining 16 teams in MLB would enter a draft lottery like in basketball.

5-Universal Designated Hitter: There is plenty to chew here. I know many fans and regular media people that are split on this and I have heard all sides. One: Why should David “Big Papi” Ortíz be a Hall of Famer, he was a one-dimensional player, a hitter. The other side: Yes, true, but he played for 20 years and hit 541 home runs and was a leader. For those that forgot already, as a rookie in 1997 Ortíz played 15 games at first base for his first team, the Minnesota Twins. Like it or Not, the DH is going to the National League, just like the Umpires used to wear different garb in the AL and the NL and for decades now they all wear the same.

Other topics: Revenue Sharing, Salary Arbitration, Remove Qualifying Offer and like always some tax matters than are way too boring even for some very bored accountants.

Finally: Like any negotiations of this magnitude, no one side is going to get everything they want. My father used to say “a half loaf of bread is better than no bread at all”. Let’s hope that they can come to something of an agreement that would satisfy both owners and players. For the good of the game.

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