Baseball is back and the Padres have loads of work to do
Mar 21, 2021; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) throws a ball to fans in the stands during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that the league and the player’s union had agreed on a new CBA.
According to multiple sources, Major League Baseball is returning at long last. After the lockout that Rob Manfred instituted almost 100 days ago, the league will unfreeze and pandemonium is set to unleash in regards to free agency and possible trades.
The buffoonery has finally reached an end. New manager Bob Melvin will manage the Padres in 2022 and make another push for the playoffs.
According to reports, this Sunday, March 13, is the first mandatory day of Spring Training.
BREAKING: Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal, sources tell ESPN. While it still needs to be ratified by both parties, that is expected to be a formality, and when it is:
Baseball is back.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 10, 2022
Some final details in new CBA, per source:
* $50M pre-arbitration bonus pool
* Minimum salary of $700,000 in 2022, increasing by $20K per year
* CBT $230M in 2022, rising annually to $233M, $237M, $241M, $244M
* 6-pick draft lottery
* Universal DH
* 12-team expanded postseason— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 10, 2022
MLB is set to look much different when play begins, with the designated hitter coming to the National League and an expanded playoff bracket from 10 to 12 teams. There was much haggling and hand-wringing regarding the luxury tax threshold and money pool for arbitration. It appears the two sides made concessions and got a little bit of what they wanted. After days and days of agonizing back-and-forth shots across the bow on social media from each side, including an exhausting amount of fan manipulation online, they have found a ground common enough to make a deal and end the lockout.
The Padres, as they were going into 2021, are expected to be competing for a National League West title or, at worst, a Wild Card spot. Pundits have discussed the needs for the Padres ad nauseum.
First off, they need to address the corner outfield spots and add some pop in the middle of the lineup around Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth. Free agency will be a whirlwind. Players like Eddie Rosario, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Nelson Cruz would add instant power to the lineup. The universal DH adds a whole new wrinkle to A.J. Preller’s approach.
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The other elephant in the room is what to do with the burdensome contracts of Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers.
We all know Preller loves swinging deals. It’s not hard to imagine San Diego’s free-swinging general manager making multiple deals over the next few days.
Opening Day is set for April 7, just a week after the original date. Spring Training games are set to begin next weekend.
Reactions from those with the Padres organization came pouring in as everyone is overjoyed to see the return of baseball.
— jesse agler (@jesseagler) March 10, 2022
— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) March 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/Mudcat55/status/1502018441070350349?s=20&t=L2B6vSQn1mw0RpV5DYZ82w
Baseball is back.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.