Over the past two weeks Major League Baseball owners and the MLB Players’ Association continued to hold discussions over a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the current deal expiring Thursday, Dec. 1, at 12:01 a.m. ET.
Talks between both parties intensified as the deadline grew closer, though there was a recent snag — or posturing — when it was reported a lockout appeared to be a realistic possibility. That was followed soon after with reports of significant progress being made.
According to Jeff Passan of YAHOO! Sports, MLB and the MLBPA agreed on a five-year CBA to avoid the league’s first work stoppage since 1994:
Several changes are expected under the new CBA, including to the qualifying offer system and the luxury tax threshold and penalties.