Minor league baseball players reached a massive agreement with MLB and the MLBPA on a CBA that will double players salaries, a landmark agreement.
For years, minor league baseball players have been compensated wholly inadequately, especially in comparison to their major league peers. The first major step toward changing that — as had been called for in recent years, particularly throughout 2022 — took place on Wednesday night.
Minor league players reached a deal with the MLBPA and MLB on a historic CBA that will take major steps toward livable wages for players, doubling their previous salaries.
Jeff Passan of ESPN was first to report the big news, also noting that the deal will last five years.
Top 5 college football NIL earners, per @On3sports 👀
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) March 29, 2023
1. Arch Manning: $3.7M
2. Caleb Williams: $2.6M
3. Travis Hunter: $1.7M
4. Shedeur Sanders: $1.5M
5. Drake Maye: $1.5M pic.twitter.com/roGtTHMnfo
JJ Cooper of Baseball America also noted that the CBA will also improve housing accommodations for players and families, which was a big point for the players in negotiations.
MiLB housing for players with families has also improved under the new CBA. That was an important detail for many players.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) March 30, 2023
Baseball world celebrates minor league pay increase under new CBA
The baseball world had a little bit of a party to celebrate the historic agreement for minor league players.
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 30, 2023
— eduardo メ𝟶 (@mookieplzhomer) March 30, 2023
We absolutely love to see minor leaguers getting paid. https://t.co/hutcuQJVsx
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) March 30, 2023
— Liam Fennessy ☕️ (@LiamFennessy_) March 30, 2023
Minor League players about to make an affordable wage pic.twitter.com/RXJJk9cotg
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) March 30, 2023
I'm literally doing a project on whu minor league players need should be paid more. And then this... unreal. So happy for all @Milb_players! https://t.co/Us9nybbWlE
— Aaron Golab (@AGolab13) March 30, 2023
Wajor Weague Waseball
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) March 30, 2023
— Emily Nyman (@EmSheDoesIt) March 30, 2023
— BenG1801 (@beng1801) March 30, 2023
So how much more will players be getting paid? Though this also highlights how there is still work to do to improve the compensation for these athletes, it also shows how much anything more needed to happen.
Details on pay increases in the minor leagues:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 30, 2023
Complex league: From $4,800 per year to $19,800
Low-A: $11,000 to $26,200
High-A: $11,000 to $27,300
AA: $13,800 to $30,250
AAA: $17,500 to $35,800
Players will be paid almost year-round, aside from a six-week break in the winter.
There is some downside as the Domestic Reserve List for organizations will decrease in size.
The Domestic Reserve List, which governs the maximum number of players in an organization outside of Latin America, will be reduced starting in the 2024 season from 180 to 165. The league has sought a reduction in the reserve list since the major league negotiations last year.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 30, 2023
We will surely hear about more details — some of which might not be overall favorable for players — but a step in the right direction is better than not moving at all. These are professional athletes that deserve to be compensated as such, not a factory for players to survive financially and hopefully get out.