MLB calls talks 'productive' while MLBPA says sides are still 'very far apart' entering deadline day

JUPITER, Fla. — Major League Baseball and the players union spent Sunday exchanging various hypotheticals without a single formal proposal, and it just might have been their most productive day in their week-long negotiations at Roger Dean Stadium.

But, just like everything else they’ve been unable to agree upon, the two sides did not share the same optimism about what occurred during Sunday's sessions on the 88th day of the lockout. MLB called it a “productive meeting" while union officials said the sides are still “very far apart’’ on significant issues.

In fact, they have yet to agree on a single major economic issue.

Still, there’s a glimmer of hope that talks are moving in the right direction, and the two sides are scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. ET Monday in hopes of reaching a deal to preserve the start of the regular season.

While MLB insisted that a deal must be completed by Monday evening to assure that the regular season starts on March 31, the union believes that if significant progress is made, their talks could extend into Tuesday or even later in the week without needing to delay or shorten the 162-game season.

MLB and the players union engaged in four negotiating sessions in small groups, with no owners and only three players on hand Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium. They also spoke several times by phone. MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem and chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer had several one-on-one exchanges.

They addressed everything from the luxury tax, to the minimum salary, to the bonus pool, to expanded playoffs. They didn’t agree on any of the remaining economic issues, but it’s possible that everything could be linked with trade-offs, reaching a compromise on everything at once.

The biggest issue remains the luxury tax, with the two sides last exchanging proposals that left them a total of $204 million apart. The union is seeking a luxury tax of $245 million in 2022, $250 million in 2023, $257 million in 2024, $264 million in 2025 and $273 million in 2026. MLB’s last formal proposal was $214 million in 2022, $215 million in 2023, $216 million in 2024, $218 million in 2025 and $222 million in 2026. It also included stiffer tax penalties than the last collective bargaining agreement, charging 45% for crossing the first tax tier, 62% on the second tier, and 95% for the third tier.

They also are $135,000 apart in the minimum salaries in 2022, with MLB offering $640,000 while the union is at $775,000.

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MLB continues to seek a 14-team playoff format while the union wants to keep it to 12 teams. The number of potential playoff games would remain the same, however, considering the team with the best record in each league would receive a first-round bye in the 14-team format. If they agree on the number of playoff teams, there will be a lottery for the first six picks in the amateur draft to stop teams from intentionally losing to secure top draft picks.

MLB has offered to provide a bonus pool of $20 million for pre-arbitration players while the union is seeking $115 million.

The union was hoping to expand the salary arbitration class to 35% of those players who have at least two years of service and not three, but MLB adamantly opposes any change, keeping it at 22%.

So, plenty of major issues still remain.

Time is running out before regular season games will be canceled.

But, for at least one more day in Jupiter, Florida, they have at least promised to meet again.

Has enough progress been made to reach an agreement by Monday night, or at least by mid-week?

We’re about to find out.

Follow Bob Nightengale on Twitter: @BNightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB optimistic, union isn't after day of labor talks ahead of deadline