Possible work stoppage

[Horsehide Harry]

While I DON'T think it ultimately happens, there is word that the owners may choose to lock the players out if a new CBA isn't reached. At a minimum it could have an effect on FA signings and the winter meetings.

But, let's say the worst happens and it stretches into ST or even a week or two into the regular season.

What happens with the opening of the new park? What happens to the timetable of the rebuild?

I suspect that there are some tight A holes in Atlanta right now...

[striker42]

I think there's almost no way a work stoppage stretches even to spring training. But we could see the Winter Meetings get torpedoed by it. The current CBA expires on December 1st and the Winter Meetings start on the 4th. If there's no CBA then you can't have any FA signings or event trades. The Winter Meetings would be extremely dull.

The smartest course of action for both sides would be to extend the current CBA for a month or two to allow the offseason to proceed while the negotiations continue.

[50PoundHead]

I think there's almost no way a work stoppage stretches even to spring training. But we could see the Winter Meetings get torpedoed by it. The current CBA expires on December 1st and the Winter Meetings start on the 4th. If there's no CBA then you can't have any FA signings or event trades. The Winter Meetings would be extremely dull.

The smartest course of action for both sides would be to extend the current CBA for a month or two to allow the offseason to proceed while the negotiations continue.

Would expiration of the CBA cancel the Rule 5 draft?

[striker42]

Would expiration of the CBA cancel the Rule 5 draft?

I'm not sure but I would think it would delay it. If you've locked the players out I don't think you could put the player you've selected onto a major league roster. I'd think the draft would be postponed until the new CBA was in place.

[50PoundHead]

I'm not sure but I would think it would delay it. If you've locked the players out I don't think you could put the player you've selected onto a major league roster. I'd think the draft would be postponed until the new CBA was in place.

My thought as well. As I recall, the CBA only directly affects what happens at the major league level (but I could be wrong on that). Last time there was a strike, I believe the minor league teams continued their seasons, which I find a bit odd.

[striker42]

My thought as well. As I recall, the CBA only directly affects what happens at the major league level (but I could be wrong on that). Last time there was a strike, I believe the minor league teams continued their seasons, which I find a bit odd.

Yeah, the players union only represents major league players. It's why baseball is able to do stuff like unilaterally change the PED policies in the minors.

[rico43]

The owners and players might agree to allow the current agreement to remain in place temporarily if they feel they're close. Even though there was little said in public, the last two agreements went down to the wire as well in many ways.

[gilesfan]

All media hype.