EXPLAINER: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It has been an epic holiday season already for several teams and players — a year after Major League Baseball locked out its players in an ugly labor dispute that delayed spring training. Judge decided to stay with the New York Yankees for baseball’s biggest free agent deal ever, a $360 million, nine-year contract. Including Wednesday's transactions, big league teams have handed out roughly $3.2 billion in finalized contracts to major league free agents this offseason. “So what happens this offseason is definitely going to impact what happens two offseasons from now.” Machado's decision is likely one reason why San Diego gave Bogaerts a $280 million, 11-year contract.

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History of this topic

Following success of MLB’s big-spenders, smaller market teams try to counter amid RSN uncertainty
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Following success of MLB’s big-spenders, smaller market teams try to counter amid RSN uncertainty

Associated Press  

SAN ANTONIO — A remarkable era of parity in Major League Baseball hit a bit of a snag this October when the big-spending New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets finished as three of the top four teams in this year’s postseason. “It’s going to be a challenge for Major League Baseball leadership,” St. Louis Cardinals GM …

MLB will redirect luxury tax dollars to help teams losing TV money
8 months ago

MLB will redirect luxury tax dollars to help teams losing TV money

New York Times  

MLB teams whose TV revenues are hurting have a little help on the way: the money collected from teams that spend above the luxury tax. Teams “whose local media revenue declined from the year prior or from the two years prior ” are eligible for what’s being called a “media disruption distribution,” largely intended to deal with the problems of …

MLB average salary rose 7% to record $4.5M last year but several teams cutting payroll in 2024
1 year ago

MLB average salary rose 7% to record $4.5M last year but several teams cutting payroll in 2024

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 7.1% last year to a record $4,525,719, according to the annual report the players’ association issued Thursday, but several teams appear to be cutting payroll for 2024. With some significant free agents still on the market, the New York Mets, San Diego, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco, Boston, Colorado, Minnesota and …

MLB’s free agent market begins to thaw, Soler agrees to $42 million deal with Giants, AP source says
1 year, 1 month ago

MLB’s free agent market begins to thaw, Soler agrees to $42 million deal with Giants, AP source says

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — The San Francisco Giants and slugger Jorge Soler agreed to a $42 million, three-year deal on Tuesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations, taking one of the remaining marquee free agents off the market as most of the 30 teams reported for spring training in Arizona and Florida. Cavnar becomes the first woman to …

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is a steal.
1 year, 3 months ago

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is a steal.

Slate  

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the biggest free agent sweepstakes of all time. The Dodgers’ desire to make a good deal and Ohtani’s desire to join the most consistent winning franchise in baseball have merged to form an awe-inspiring contractual arrangement worth “$700 million.” After Ohtani announced Saturday that he would join the Dodgers, details of the deal started to …

Mets and Yankees wrap up nightmare New York seasons and head into uncertain winter
1 year, 5 months ago

Mets and Yankees wrap up nightmare New York seasons and head into uncertain winter

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — For the first time in nine years, baseball’s postseason won’t include a New York team. “When things aren’t going well in New York, things happen and they happen quickly,” center fielder Brandon Nimmo said. ___ NEW YORK YANKEES After setting an American League record with 62 home runs in 2022, Judge became a free agent but stayed …

AP exclusive: MLB average salary up 11% year after lockout
1 year, 11 months ago

AP exclusive: MLB average salary up 11% year after lockout

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A year removed from a labor lockout that postponed opening day, major league players are enjoying their biggest salary spike in more than two decades. “It’s about damn time, honestly,” said Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zach Eflin, who signed a $40 million, three-year deal in December. “It’s been pretty much a joke the past five, 10 years …

Judge, Díaz, Turner among 131 free agents after Series ends
2 years, 4 months ago

Judge, Díaz, Turner among 131 free agents after Series ends

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — Aaron Judge, Edwin Díaz, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were among 131 players who became free agents on Sunday as baseball’s business season began just hours after the final out of the World Series. Teams have until Thursday to make $19.65 million qualifying offers to their former players who became free agents. If a team makes …

MLB free agent qualifying offer price $19.65M, up $1.25M
2 years, 5 months ago

MLB free agent qualifying offer price $19.65M, up $1.25M

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The price of a qualifying offer to Major League Baseball free agents rose to $19.65 million, an increase of $1.25 million. Among the top players who can become free agents after the World Series and are eligible to receive qualifying offers are New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, New York Mets pitchers Jacob deGrom, Edwin Díaz and …

MLB to pay minor leaguers $185 million to settle lawsuit
2 years, 8 months ago

MLB to pay minor leaguers $185 million to settle lawsuit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball agreed to pay minor leaguers $185 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging violations of minimum wage laws, a case that progressed through the courts for eight years without reaching a trial. “This settlement is a monumental step for minor league players toward a fair and just compensation system,” Garrett Broshuis, the players’ lead …

Private equity firms invest in MLB teams because revenue is plentiful
3 years ago

Private equity firms invest in MLB teams because revenue is plentiful

LA Times  

Major League Baseball teams have been working to develop loyalty in and make money from fans in ways that go far beyond selling tickets. The Dodgers’ program is an example of how teams are developing loyalty in and making money from fans in ways that go far beyond selling tickets, T-shirts and cable television subscriptions. “We’re big believers the asset …

Major League Baseball labor agreement details
3 years ago

Major League Baseball labor agreement details

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Details of the memorandum of understanding agreed to Thursday by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, as obtained by The Associated Press. For a free agent who had spent the entire season with one team, there would would be four compensation tiers based on: — $25 million in guaranteed salary or $18 million …

Play ball! MLB players reach deal, salvage 162-game season
3 years ago

Play ball! MLB players reach deal, salvage 162-game season

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s players and owners ended their most bitter money fight in a quarter-century Thursday when the players’ association accepted management’s offer to salvage a 162-game season that will start April 7. “Our union endured the second-longest work stoppage in its history to achieve significant progress in key areas that will improve not just current players’ …

MLB cancels 93 more games, gap narrows in bargaining
3 years ago

MLB cancels 93 more games, gap narrows in bargaining

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred canceled 93 more games Wednesday, appearing to cut off the chance to play a full 162-game schedule and threatening locked out players with loss of salary and service time. “We never offered the Int’l Draft” tweeted Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, among the eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee. “After making a set …

MLB cancels 93 more games, gap narrows in bargaining
3 years ago

MLB cancels 93 more games, gap narrows in bargaining

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. MLB said it would not make a new counteroffer …

MLB lockout ends as players and team owners agree to new contract terms
3 years ago

MLB lockout ends as players and team owners agree to new contract terms

LA Times  

Major League Baseball is ramping up. Three months after major league owners locked out players and declared not another game would be played without a new collective bargaining agreement, the league and the players’ union agreed Thursday on a five-year deal. “I am genuinely thrilled to be able to say that Major League Baseball is back,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said, …

Fans chant `We want baseball!' but won't get it anytime soon
3 years ago

Fans chant `We want baseball!' but won't get it anytime soon

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We have a payroll disparity problem,” Manfred said, “and …

MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout
3 years ago

MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout

Associated Press  

JUPITER, Fla. — Major League Baseball’s financial fight cost regular-season games for the first time in 27 years when often acrimonious talks to end a management lockout collapsed Tuesday and Commissioner Rob Manfred scrapped March 31 openers. “We exhausted every possibility of reaching an agreement before the cancellation of games,” Manfred said during a news conference in the left-field corner …

Column: The rich men who control baseball show they don’t care about fans, again
3 years ago

Column: The rich men who control baseball show they don’t care about fans, again

LA Times  

It’s easy to say that in labor negotiations each side must give a little. The owners sought to raise the tax threshold to $220 million from the current $210 million in each of the next three seasons, and to $230 million by 2026. Business Why I’m glad the Dodgers may be blacked out again this season My colleagues Bill Plaschke, …

MLB cancels first two series of 2022 season after no deal is reached to end lockout
3 years ago

MLB cancels first two series of 2022 season after no deal is reached to end lockout

LA Times  

Major League Baseball has canceled opening day, with Commissioner Rob Manfred announcing Tuesday the sport will lose regular-season games over a labor dispute for the first time in 27 years after acrimonious lockout talks collapsed in the hours before management’s deadline. Manfred said he is canceling the first two series of the season that was set to begin March 31, …

MLB lockout could cost Scherzer $232K daily, Cole $193K
3 years, 1 month ago

MLB lockout could cost Scherzer $232K daily, Cole $193K

Associated Press  

JUPITER, Fla. — Sometime soon, lockout costs become real: Max Scherzer would forfeit $232,975 for each regular-season day lost, and Gerrit Cole $193,548. Based on last year’s base salaries that totaled just over $3.8 billion, major league players would combine to lose $20.5 million for each day wiped off the 186-day regular-season schedule. A player at management’s proposed $630,000 minimum …

Locked out MLB players reject offer of federal mediation
3 years, 1 month ago

Locked out MLB players reject offer of federal mediation

LA Times  

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says his side is being proactive, not wanting to risk a late-season strike similar to the one that wiped out the 1994 World Series. The start of spring training probably will be a casualty of Major League Baseball’s lockout, which will threaten opening day unless the drawn-out talks lead to a deal in less than a …

Major League Baseball locks out players in first work stoppage since 1994
3 years, 3 months ago

Major League Baseball locks out players in first work stoppage since 1994

Firstpost  

In a “Letter to Fans” posted on Twitter, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he was disappointed that the league was “forced to commence a lockout of Major League Players, effective at 12:01 am on December 2.” Major League Baseball locked out its players shortly after midnight on Thursday as failure to agree on a new collective contract sparked the sport’s …

What it costs for every MLB team’s fans to attend a game, and why the average price went up in 2021
3 years, 6 months ago

What it costs for every MLB team’s fans to attend a game, and why the average price went up in 2021

New York Times  

The cost to take a family of four to a Major League Baseball game in 2021 increased modestly over last year’s fan-less pandemic season, per a new analysis of ballpark pricing. It now costs an average of $253 for four people to attend an MLB game, which is a 4.5 percent year-over-year increase that’s in line with Consumer Price Index …

Sources: MLB proposes salary minimum funded by new tax on teams spending $180 million
3 years, 7 months ago

Sources: MLB proposes salary minimum funded by new tax on teams spending $180 million

New York Times  

In a face-to-face collective bargaining meeting in Denver on Monday, Major League Baseball made its first proposal covering core economics to the Players Association. The plan included a new tax on team spending, one that would both effectively lower the first luxury-tax threshold in the sport to $180 million, and charge teams who exceed that first mark a higher percentage …

MLB makes $100M commitment to increase Black participation
3 years, 8 months ago

MLB makes $100M commitment to increase Black participation

Associated Press  

DENVER — Major League Baseball will give at least $100 million over 10 years to the Players Alliance and help raise an additional $50 million aimed at increasing the number of Blacks playing the sport and eventually making the big leagues. Manfred was joined by Bo Bichette, Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, Tim Anderson, Mark Melancon, Alex Reyes, Marcus Semien, Taijuan …

Manfred: MLB expansion fee could be in $2.2 billion range
3 years, 11 months ago

Manfred: MLB expansion fee could be in $2.2 billion range

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball would consider expansion fees in the range of $2.2 billion for new franchises, though there are no current plans to add teams. Manfred has said repeatedly that MLB will not consider expansion until the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays get new ballparks. “If in fact these assets are worth an average $2.2 billion, …

MLB owners lay off hundreds as revenues plummet, drastically changing the sport
4 years, 5 months ago

MLB owners lay off hundreds as revenues plummet, drastically changing the sport

New York Times  

As the World Series finishes and a new wave of COVID-19 cases arrive, Major League Baseball owners this month have combined to lay off hundreds of people across different club departments, portending an offseason that will forever change the sport. “There’s been a lot of discussion about a lot of owners, team presidents, vice presidents, like, we can’t believe how …

MLB players’ union proposes 70-game season
4 years, 9 months ago

MLB players’ union proposes 70-game season

LA Times  

Baseball union chief Tony Clark is working on a “a jointly developed framework” with Commissioner Rob Manfred to start the 2020 MLB season. Two days after major league owners thought they had a deal for a 60-game season, the players’ union on Thursday proposed a 70-game season. That could set the stage for a settlement of 65 or so games, …

Baseball players say talks futile, tell MLB to order return
4 years, 9 months ago

Baseball players say talks futile, tell MLB to order return

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball appears headed to its shortest season since the 1870s. “The MLBPA’s position that players are entitled to virtually all the revenue from a 2020 season played without fans is not fair to the thousands of other baseball employees that clubs and our office are supporting financially during this very difficult 2020 season,” the commissioner’s …

AP sources: MLB players cut to 89 games, want prorated money
4 years, 9 months ago

AP sources: MLB players cut to 89 games, want prorated money

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Baseball players moved toward teams but remained far apart economically in their latest proposal for starting the pandemic-delayed season, adamant they receive full prorated salaries while offering to cut the regular season to 89 games. The players’ plan would have the World Series end in mid-to-late November, and players said they would accept MLB’s proposal to have …

MLB owners to reject players’ proposal, offer counter; Manfred: There will be a season
4 years, 9 months ago

MLB owners to reject players’ proposal, offer counter; Manfred: There will be a season

LA Times  

Rob Manfred made two points loud and clear Wednesday: There will be a major league season in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the owners are not backing off their insistence that players take an additional pay cut to play a longer season. “One-hundred percent.” Manfred said owners would reject the proposal made by players Tuesday and would “shortly” submit …

MLBPA to MLB owners: How about an 89-game season?
4 years, 9 months ago

MLBPA to MLB owners: How about an 89-game season?

LA Times  

In their latest restart proposal to MLB owners amid the coronavirus outbreak, the players are pushing for an 89-game season with prorated salaries. If the final move is that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred mandates the shorter season, that could be disastrous on three fronts: public perception of a league in which stars might sit out rather than play …

MLB makes a new pitch to players: 76-game season and a smaller pay cut
4 years, 9 months ago

MLB makes a new pitch to players: 76-game season and a smaller pay cut

LA Times  

Rob Manfred made his name in baseball as the lead labor negotiator for the owners, an architect of 25 years of labor peace. The owners proposed a 76-game season, but not at the prorated salaries on which players have held firm. Instead, the owners offered to pay 75% of the prorated salaries — unless a coronavirus outbreak forces a cancellation …

AP source: MLB players offer 114-game season, no more $ cuts
4 years, 9 months ago

AP source: MLB players offer 114-game season, no more $ cuts

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball players ignored claims by clubs that they need to take additional pay cuts, instead proposing they receive a far higher percentage of salaries and commit to a longer schedule as part of a counteroffer to start the coronavirus-delayed season. Opening day would be June 30 and the regular season would end Oct. 31, nearly …

Plaschke: MLB will whiff if 2020 season doesn't happen
4 years, 10 months ago

Plaschke: MLB will whiff if 2020 season doesn't happen

LA Times  

Basketball is talking showmanship. If the owners and players are really willing to let the 2020 season disappear for reasons based strictly on money — and not health and safety — then baseball’s already failing national perception goes bankrupt. Baseball needs to be the first sport to play again, the first sport to help heal this country, just like it’s …

Players call MLB economic proposal `extremely disappointing’
4 years, 10 months ago

Players call MLB economic proposal `extremely disappointing’

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A rookie at the major league minimum would keep about 47% of his original salary this year while multimillionaire stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose more than 77% under a sliding-scale proposal by big league teams that players found “extremely disappointing.” Major League Baseball made the proposal to the players’ union on Tuesday during a …

MLB’s economic proposal includes sliding scale for salary cuts
4 years, 10 months ago

MLB’s economic proposal includes sliding scale for salary cuts

LA Times  

Major League Baseball hopes to resume play this summer, but owners and players are still negotiating how that would happen. After major league players made clear they had no interest in participating in a revenue-sharing plan for an abbreviated 2020 season, owners Tuesday proposed that players instead accept a sliding scale of pay cuts. If an expanded postseason is not …

Salary staredown: Inside the high-stakes negotiation to restart the MLB season
4 years, 10 months ago

Salary staredown: Inside the high-stakes negotiation to restart the MLB season

New York Times  

Agreeing on safety protocols will be difficult enough, but the more contentious challenge for Major League Baseball and the Players Association might be resolving player salaries for a shortened 2020 season. In its digital presentation to the union last Tuesday, MLB said paying players their full pro-rated salaries in a proposed 82-game without fans would result in cash losses of …

AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players
4 years, 10 months ago

AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball did not include an economic proposal during its opening presentation to the players’ union on terms to start the coronavirus-delayed season. “If they’re able to come up with safety precautions, as has been suggested by Major League Baseball, that works, I hope that the players will understand that the people of our United States …

MLB teams pledge $1M each for stadium workers
5 years ago

MLB teams pledge $1M each for stadium workers

Daily Mail  

While the federal government is warning that the coronavirus pandemic could last as long as 18 months, all 30 Major League Baseball teams have pledged $1 million each to aid workers who are losing paychecks amid the season's indefinite suspension. Last week, MLB canceled the remaining spring training games and announced that the start of the regular season would be …

Forget the Zack Greinke deal. Major league ballplayers are getting ripped off.
9 years, 3 months ago

Forget the Zack Greinke deal. Major league ballplayers are getting ripped off.

LA Times  

Zack Greinke is baseball’s newest plutocrat. The players’ “plummeting share of overall MLB league revenues,” writes Nathaniel Grow of the University of Georgia on FanGraphs, is a “significant and pressing -- but often overlooked -- issue” that the MLB Players Assn. — Nathaniel Grow, University of Georgia As Grow observes, “after peaking at a little more than 56% in 2002, …

Leaked Documents Provide Glimpse Behind Baseball's Financial Curtain
14 years, 7 months ago

Leaked Documents Provide Glimpse Behind Baseball's Financial Curtain

Wired  

Looks like someone has it in for Major League Baseball's stingier franchises. Last season, the Pirates' 17th straight losing season set the all-time mark for futility in the history of major professional American sports. The Pirates pulled in nearly $30 million in net profit between 2007 and 2008, years they finished last in their division and couldn't muster a seasonal …

Baseball: Sense prevails as strike avoided
22 years, 6 months ago

Baseball: Sense prevails as strike avoided

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

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