There was already a cloud of uncertainty swirling around the start of spring training, but after Commissioner Rob Manfred offered little clarity on when baseball would return, reiterating he is hopeful that the regular season will begin on time.
However for that to happen, a deal would need to be struck soon.
According to reports, Manfred declined to announce a postponement to Spring Training, which was set to open in six days, February 16. Spring Training games are scheduled to start February 27. While Minor League camps will proceed as normal, the embattled commissioner ruled out using minor leaguers as replacement players.
Both the players union and the owners are deadlocked on core economic issues, with players requesting that the minimum salary be increased, and that arbitration years are reduced so free agency can happen sooner.
The only thing that has come out of the meetings between the two sides is the adoption of the universal of the Designated Hitter in both the National and American League, and the elimination of draft pick compensation for free agents.
The adoption of the Designated Hitter has been coming for some time, especially after both leagues used the DH rule during the COVID-shortened 2020 season to prevent injury to pitchers. The DH, while it has its detractors, manly from traditionalist fans, is widely popular and used on different levels of baseball both in college and the minors.
The DH has given second life to careers of aging players like Jim Thome and Edgar Martinez in the past. It could be a huge boon to a team like the Mets, who have a logjam on their infield with Robinson Cano returning from a year away due to suspension for PEDs.
As for when baseball games will be taking place in Florida and Arizona this spring? That is anyone's guess at this point.
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