Rob Manfred expresses optimism for MLB deal as spring training remains on hold

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Day 71 of MLB’s self-imposed lockout, Rob Manfred spoke optimistically about the owners’ newest proposal for Saturday’s next round of negotiations with the Players Association and refused to rule out an on-time start for spring training, despite the long odds of such a scenario.

"We understand where the calendar is," Manfred said during Thursday’s 23-minute news conference at the conclusion of the owners' meetings. "But until we see how that session on Saturday goes, it’s no change."

Even so, going by Manfred’s timeline, a deal would have to be struck over the weekend for any shot at camps opening on the original dates of Feb. 15-16. Looking ahead further, Manfred still believes that Opening Day will take place as scheduled March 31, fearing the damage that could be caused by sacrificing a part of the regular season.

"I see missing games as a disastrous outcome for this industry," Manfred said. "And we’re committed to making an agreement in an effort to avoid that."

One telling comment, however, came after the commissioner was asked if owning a baseball team is a good investment, a question spurred by the financial concerns often cited by teams when it comes to payroll. While baseball’s revenues continue to climb along with franchise values, the average salary of players has declined.

"If you look at the purchase price of franchises, the cash that's put in during the period of ownership and then what they've sold for, historically the return on those investments is below what you'd get in the stock market," Manfred said. "With a lot more risk."

Manfred chose to take a more diplomatic approach to the current labor staredown, which has involved only four face-to-face negotiating sessions since the lockout went into effect on Dec. 2. Despite the startling lack of activity over the past two-plus months, Manfred listed a number of areas Thursday that management was prepared to work on in order to get a deal done.

"The clubs, the owners, fully understand how important it is to our fans that we get the game on the field as soon as possible," Manfred said. "We want to reach a fair agreement with the Players Association and we want to do that quickly. We have listened carefully throughout this negotiation and we have moved toward the players on key areas in an effort to address their concerns. We've proposed an agreement that is better in every respect than the expired contract."

Before taking questions, Manfred cited examples:

— He said they’ve agreed to a universal DH and elimination of draft-pick compensation attached to free agents, both designed to create more jobs and reduce drag on salaries.

— The institution of a draft lottery "despite substantial opposition from some clubs."

— A proposal to increase minimum salaries, including a bonus pool that would benefit pre-arbitration players.

— "Meaningful" changes to service time for young players.

— Expanded playoffs, which the owners believe "will encourage more clubs to compete while giving more players the opportunity to participate in the postseason."

On paper, the outline of Manfred’s next pitch to the players at least sounds promising. But the commissioner also acknowledged the sizable hurdles that remain, primarily the union’s desire to remove revenue sharing, which the players believe prevents teams from spending more money on their payrolls. Manfred plainly said that is a non-starter for the owners, which was an indication of why these talks have stalled.

"Where the clubs have been and remain unwilling to move is in response to player proposals that we believe will undermine the competitive balance in our game," Manfred said.

Another significant obstacle is the lack of trust between the two sides, the lingering fallout from the bitter 2020 negotiations to salvage a shortened 60-game season during the first COVID-19 summer. Manfred conceded to a clash of personalities during that time, but described himself as someone who was able to make deals four previous times during his involvement in baseball’s labor conflicts.

From the players’ perspective, that doesn’t seem to be relevant now. Many have attacked him by name on Twitter, suggesting that he’s incapable of "good-faith" negotiating and the reason for the current deadlock.

"You know, it is my part of my job to get us to an agreement that keeps the game on the field," Manfred said. "I take that responsibility really seriously. And you know, what somebody says on social media really doesn't affect my thinking in that regard. It's my responsibility to do everything we can to make an agreement that the industry can live with and keep the game on the field and we are trying to do that."

As for the recent lack of progress, the ticking clock for the start of spring training and the continuing animosity from the Players Association, Manfred sounded undeterred.

"You're always one breakthrough away from making an agreement," Manfred said. "That's the art of this process."

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.comDPLennon

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.