ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite the understandable outrage at the sentiments contained therein, it is not all that surprising that commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly told the Major League Baseball Players Association that their forthcoming negotiation was “not going to be a deal where we pay you in economics to get labor peace.”
After all, admitting the opposite would likely not have gone over well with the 30 owners — with whom he met this week in Texas — who effectively serve as his bosses. Even so, saying as much didn’t quell the perception that a work stoppage might be looming when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires prior to the 2022 season.