Lockout talks continue Monday with union counteroffer originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The MLB players union is preparing to bring a counterproposal to MLB as baseball's lockout enters its eighth week.
According to multiple reports, including Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, the two sides will meet in person Monday — their second meeting since the league imposed a lockout Dec. 2.
Monday's meeting will feature the players' first substantive proposal since the lockout began. How that goes could provide the best signal yet for how much longer this thing lasts.
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The owners made their first economic proposal since the lockout started in a brief meeting last Thursday — an offer that went nowhere with the union.
That proposal — the first discussing economics from either side in over 40 days — reportedly included issues such as the arbitration system and service time manipulation, but not key issues including minimum salaries and revenue sharing, nor the luxury tax — which is the most important point of contention.
Without progress Monday, the chance of starting spring training on time grows significantly less likely. Most teams have not announced report dates, but pitchers and catchers typically report to camp in mid-February.
Not to mention that obviously puts Opening Day in jeopardy.
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