Zack Britton slams door shut on Jon Heyman’s MLB lockout optimism

So much for that brief dose of optimism. Yankees reliever Zack Britton slammed the door shut on Jon Heyman’s report on MLB lockout progress.

To be fair, Britton would know.

The players seem far more pessimistic than the owners in terms of MLB lockout progress. The players budged significantly on Saturday, per reports, even submitting a brand new proposal that took into account many of the owners’ concerns.

The owners responded by throwing it in the garbage can.

Should a new CBA not be reached by Monday, Opening Day will be delayed. That much is a certainty, thanks to a self-imposed deadline by owners and Rob Manfred. However, the owners don’t seem to mind playing the waiting game.

Contrary to most reporting from Saturday, Jon Heyman suggested there was some optimism in negotiations: “Contradictory to all the negativity/ upset surrounding the MLB/players talks, one person involved said he believes the sides are now “within striking distance” and a deal could be done be tomorrow night. Luxury tax remains the sticky issue but a 225/230M threshold should work.”

Britton responded thusly.

Goodbye, hope.

MLB lockout: Who is to blame for lack of progress?

Manfred and the owners opted to lock out the players in the first place, therefore it’s safe to assume it is their fault we are in this position.

Owners locked out the players and didn’t come to the negotiating table until dragged there under protest. Manfred responded with a sarcastic “the phone works both ways” comment, which didn’t sit well with players who weren’t intent on opting out of the previous CBA to begin with, at least not yet.

Manfred himself didn’t show up to this very important round of negotiations until Friday. It was about damn time, but I guess we shouldn’t blame the MLB commissioner who seems to not enjoy the game itself, but rather lining the pockets of he and his wealthy friends.

This is not merely a battle of millionaires and billionaires. Nearly 70 percent of players make less than $1 million. The majority if not all owners are incredibly wealthy, were raking in most the profits from a game they do not actually play, yet still found a way to be unhappy with that agreement.

The fans are the ones who suffer most.