Another week of spring training lost, and still no end in sight. On Sunday, the Major League Baseball Players’ Association proposed a new deal to Major League Baseball, and once again, it was rebuffed by the owners. In fact, MLB spokesman Glen Caplin identifies the situation as “deadlocked.”
It is not that the players didn’t make any concessions.
In fact, in addition to a continued agreement to expand the playoffs, they also agreed to allow advertisements on uniforms, the ability for MLB to make rule changes with notice (some of which reportedly include banning shifts, pitch clocks, and larger bases), as well as other concessions.
Still, the outlook is bleak at this point. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the league could cancel another week of regular-season games as early as Monday.
While the lockout lingers on, let’s take a look at some of the other stories from around the majors.
MLBPA Looking After Workers
Despite the frustrations of negotiations, the MLBPA still has others in their thoughts. On Friday, they announced that they are launching a fund to help workers who are affected by the lockout.
Obviously, a lot of people rely on MLB games to make money aside from just the owners and players. Everyone from stadium workers to television crews to even local establishments are being affected.
The MLBPA hopes that this small fund can at least assist some of those affected.
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, it appears that the league may also be setting up a similar fund.
Bieber Feeling Healthy
Earlier this week, starting pitcher Shane Bieber tweeted that he is back to 100% and excited for the upcoming season.
Last year, the Cleveland Guardians’ ace started just 16 games, going 7-4 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 134 strikeouts in 96.2 innings pitched.
Unfortunately, Bieber dealt with shoulder issues that knocked him out for basically half of the season. While he did throw a handful of innings towards the end of the season, Guardians’ fans will hope that he can help solidify a staff that ranked 18th in earned run average at 4.34.
The Guardians currently are +7000 to win the World Series next year. They have the fourth-best odds of winning the AL Central at +850.
Trout And Rendon Both A Full Go
Bieber isn’t the only star ready to come back from injury. According to The Los Angeles Times’ Mike DiGiovanna, the Angels’ Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon are both a full go for the beginning of the season.
Last season, Trout only played in 36 games. In that span, he hit .333/.466/.624 with eight home runs.
Rendon did just slightly better as he played in 58 games. Over the course of 217 at bats, the 31-year-old hit .240/.329/.382 with six home runs and 34 runs batted in.
Currently, the Angels have the second-best odds of winning the AL West at +380, but that largely hinges on the availability of these two players. Between Trout, Rendon, and the reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have the potential for one of the most potent middle of the lineups in the majors.
In addition to their divisional odds, the Angels are +3200 to win the World Series.
