Rob Manfred press conference highlights: What he said about new MLB CBA
Unlike the MLB CBA negotiations, the first post-lockout Rob Manfred press conference with the media didn’t leave much on the table.
The MLB lockout stretched 99 days but it won’t hit triple digits in length because the owners and players officially agreed on a new CBA on Thursday.
The last 99 days haven’t been the greatest in the history of the sport with all the ups and downs of a protracted negotiation process. Fortunately, those days are done and baseball can get back on track.
The man in charge of making sure things stay on track, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, addressed the media after the ratification vote.
Here’s what Manfred had to say:
Rob Manfred press conference: What the MLB commissioner said about lockout
Manfred apologized to the fans for the uncertainty around the game while addressing specifics of what the 2022 baseball season will look like relative to divisional games and media access.
Rob Manfred addresses the fans:
— ESPN (@espn) March 11, 2022
“I know the last few months have been difficult, there’s a lot of uncertainty. … Sort of the way the process of collective bargaining works sometimes, but I do apologize for it.” pic.twitter.com/nFuQjadz0I
Rob Manfred: "I am genuinely thrilled to be able to say that Major League Baseball is back and we’re going to play 162 games. I do want to start by apologizing to our fans. … Looking forward, I could not be more excited about the future of our game."
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred: "I hope that the process is a first step forward. I spoke to Tony (Clark) after their ratification vote. I told him that I thought we had a great opportunity for the game in front of us & told him that I hope to work with him on things that are new in the agreement"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred says the 2023 schedule will be more balanced. Teams will play at least one series against every opponent in both leagues.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred says that reporters will now be permitted back into the clubhouses, just like before Covid.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 10, 2022
Tellingly, Manfred devoted some time to discuss his relationship with the players, which has not been viewed particularly positively. Players like Marcus Stroman have publicly called for Manfred to be replaced, so to say he doesn’t get along with players is an understatement.
Rob Manfred: “I’ve never been surprised at the solidarity of the MLBPA. It may be one of the best unions in America. It has been historically, that’s for sure."
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred: "One of the things I’m supposed to do is promote a good relationship with our players. I’ve tried to do that. I think that I have not been successful in that.” (cont’d)
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred: "I think that it begins with small steps. It’s why I picked the phone up after the ratification and expressed my desire to work with him. It’s going to be a priority of mine moving forward."
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred says he hopes player sees this agreement as an “olive branch.”
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Manfred’s reputation took some hits and was reaffirmed in several negative ways during this lockout. It’s possible he’s been able to look back at the way he’s handled things and can put that knowledge towards making things better.
Here are a few other things Manfred discussed:
Manfred: "The MLBPA historically wanted a market based system…Markets produce market results & I think that the changes that were made in this agreement move dramatically in their direction, like the CBT threshold, & I think you’ll probably see a little different market results"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2022
Rob Manfred on whether the players "outfoxed" his side in blowing through 4 deadlines:
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 10, 2022
"The use of deadlines, extending deadlines, figuring out when to set them and when to back off them is part of the art of collective bargaining...I think we used deadlines effectively."
Opening Day will arrive on April 7 with a full slate of games scheduled for the 2022 season. While the owners and players still have some things to iron out, this new CBA will be in place for the next five years so at least fans won’t have to worry too much about another lockout or strike for a few more years.
Next. Top 6 free agents after lockout ends. dark