Play Ball! MLB Lockout Ends as MLBPA Votes 'Yes' to New CBA

MLB and the MLBPA have tentatively agreed to a new CBA, ending the lockout on its 99th day and salvaging a full 162-game season.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, ending the owner-imposed lockout on its 99th day. 

MLB offered its final proposal to salvage a 162-game season Thursday, which led to a vote by the MLBPA. Despite the eight-player executive board reportedly voting against the CBA, 26 of the 38 total votes were in favor of the agreement.

The new CBA must still be ratified by both parties, but that is expected to happen without issue. Per multiple reports, MLB owners unanimously ratified the new CBA Thursday evening, allowing free agency and trades to resume immediately.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, players will report to spring training by March 13 with games beginning around March 17 or 18, and the season could begin on April 7. Nine-inning doubleheaders will be part of making up games to get in a full 162-game season.

As part of the new CBA, the competitive balance tax thresholds will begin at $230 million in 2022—an increase of $20 million from last year's $210 million threshold—and will escalate to $244 million in the fifth and final year of the deal. The league's minimum salary will start at $700,000 in 2022, escalating to $780,000 in the final year. In addition, there will be a $50 million bonus pool for pre-arbitration players, which is a brand new concept originally proposed by the union to provide better compensation to younger players.

Among other items on the new CBA:

• A fourth tier of the CBT has been added, which sits $60 million above the first threshold. The previous CBT had only three tiers.
• An expanded postseason to 12 teams.
• National League adopts the designated hitter.
• The first six picks of the MLB Draft determined by lottery.
• MLB Draft is now 20 rounds.
• Players cannot be optioned more than five times in one season.

ESPN first reported the agreement between MLB and the MLBPA.

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