Baseball is on the verge of a long-awaited return
Fans of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the American League Championship Series during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Fenway Park on October 16, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Rays 8-7 to set the series at 3-2 Rays. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
After months of tense negotiations and anxiety across the baseball world, Major League Baseball and the players union are expected to agree to a new labor deal for 2022 and beyond.
ESPN’s BREAKING: Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal, sources tell ESPN. While it still needs to be ratified by both parties, that is expected to be a formality, and when it is:
Baseball is back.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 10, 2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeff Passan reported Thursday that the two sides have reached a “tentative agreement,” and it’s “expected to be a formality” that both parties will ratify the new CBA. So, while it’s technically not 100 percent totally officially official just yet, Passan was confident enough to conclude: “baseball is back.”
Jon Heyman also reported that the players voted 26-12 in favor and the deal “is agreed to” for 2022. It sure appears that nothing will stand in the way of baseball’s return.
Passan later Players can report to spring-training camps as early as tomorrow. Opening Day is expected to be April 7, as @JesseRogersESPN first reported. Transactions unfreeze upon ratification, which is expected to come as early as today, meaning free agents can sign and trades can occur.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 10, 2022?s=10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added that players can report for spring training as soon as Friday, and that free agency and trades may resume once the deal is ratified. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, opening day is expected to be April 7.
More from 985TheSportsHub.com…
More from 985TheSportsHub.com…
Click here for complete Boston Red Sox coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
