After MLB and the MLB Players Association failed to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before the owner-imposed deadline Tuesday, commissioner Rob Manfred announced the cancellation of the first two series of the 2022 MLB season.
While players were upset with the goings-on in labor talks, the strongest and clearest message of condemnation came from Jason Heyward, who spelled it out for fans Wednesday: The owners didn’t want the 2022 season to start on time.
The Cubs outfielder, in a lengthy Instagram message, blamed ownership for taking its time during negotiations to ensure the season would not open as scheduled on March 31:
MORE: MLB lockout news and updates
Heyward’s message in full:
While it’s almost impossible to prove that it was the owners’ “goal” to delay the start of the season, a few things are factual: The lockout is league-imposed; the league didn’t come to the bargaining table until more than 40 days after the lockout was imposed; and now the owners will save a few bucks on player salaries by canceling games.
Heyward isn’t the only one who felt this strongly about MLB’s lack of movement. Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling also painted the owners as unwilling to negotiate in good faith, which seems to be a recurring theme for these CBA negotiations.
Angels outfielder Mike Trout on Wednesday joined the chorus of players who are outwardly distressed by how the owners negotiated.
Negotiations may continue this week, but time will tell when — and if — the 2022 season will get underway.
