Union proposes higher minimum salary in latest talks

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The MLB players union proposed the highest minimum salary increase in almost two decades in the latest lockout negotiations with the league on Tuesday.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the players proposed a minimum salary of $775,000, which would be about a 36 percent increase from the 2021 level of $570,500.

The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reported the league proposed a rise to $615,000 — a 7.8 percent increase from the 2021 minimum.

Industry revenues have increased by approximately 53 percent since 2012 through 2019, to an estimated $10.4 billion in 2019 (pre-pandemic).

During that time of record revenue growth, minimum salaries have not increased by more than 5.42 percent from one season to the next. That came from 2016-17, the last time a new CBA was negotiated.

It’s a small contributor to the fact that in recent seasons, the average major league salary has gone down (pre-pandemic) for the first time since collusion in the 1980s.

The two sides Tuesday also discussed the parameters of a bonus pool for players with 0-3 years of service time as a way to address the union’s concern of getting productive younger players paid sooner.

Tuesday’s meeting reportedly last about an hour following a two-hour meeting Monday. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported the two sides are expected to meet again soon.

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