After major league baseball players and owners bargained late into the night on the date of MLB’s self imposed deadline, February 28, reports to the media from the owners suggested that a deal might be close. Sounds coming from the players’ quarters were not so optimistic, as the two sides remained far apart on a number of key issues. After the owners made a “final and best” proposal that was unanimously rejected by the players’ association, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the cancellation of the first two series of the regular season.
Despite the reports of a deal being near, there were always significant obstacles remaining.