The MLB lockout began on the first day of December. Five weeks later, the league and Players Association haven’t even begun talks on their new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Maybe they will start negotiating in January. Maybe. Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports that the league is preparing to present an opening proposal to the players, “likely this month.” Jeff Passan of ESPN doesn’t paint any rosier picture, suggesting things won’t “ramp up” until late-January.
Pitchers and catchers are supposed to report to spring training in around five weeks, in mid-February. There’s still time for that to happen, but the clock is ticking quickly.