“I think April could be sacrificed” MLB STRIKE 2027 NEWS

I think April could be sacrificed, ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers told Christopher Russo, disagreeing with the host’s expectation that MLB’s labor negotiations would end without lost games.

The exchange on Mad Dog Unleashed followed a discussion of MLB’s proposed shorter regular season and playoff changes. Russo believed commissioner Rob Manfred would reach an agreement at the last moment, as the two sides had done before.

I still think that Manfred will figure it out. And I don’t think we’re going to lose games next year, Russo said.

He then asked Rogers whether he agreed. Rogers did not, and based his answer on his assessment of Bruce Meyer’s negotiating approach. The MLBPA appointed Meyer interim executive director in February and said he would continue as its chief negotiator.

I tend to disagree with it, Rogers said.

Rogers described the threat of missed games as a bargaining strategy and suggested the owners would be slow to concede. His account was his reading of the negotiations, rather than a newly disclosed union decision to give up April.

They might give in May or May 1st or something.

The union’s October 8 statement says players are reviewing MLB’s scheduling materials and will respond at the bargaining table. It also says the league has made its proposals contingent on the players accepting a salary cap, which the union opposes.

Earlier in the conversation, Russo asked whether the owners might retain the scheduling changes without receiving a cap agreement. Rogers described the details as negotiable once the sides settled on an economic system.

I think everything you’re hearing on either side, Chris, becomes negotiable once they decide on the economic system.

His examples of four years to free agency and two years to arbitration illustrated possible demands in a hypothetical bargain. They were not announced changes to player eligibility.

Rogers also corrected the proposed start date for a 154-game schedule after Russo suggested it might apply next year. The scheduling proposal sets the shorter season for 2029, subject to agreement.

By the way, they want to do the 154 starting in 29.