This has been a long time coming for minor league baseball players.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that there is a tentative deal in place between MLB and the MLBPA for the first-ever collective bargaining agreement for minor league players. Currently, the deal has been ratified by player leaders, but will have to go through MLB owners and players before a deal is fully in place.
Should the deal go through, however, minor league baseball players will receive at least two times their current pay across all levels. Historically, minor leaguers have been criminally underpaid, and this historic deal would be a great first step towards giving living wages to players in AAA and below.
BREAKING: A deal is in place between the minor league players in the MLBPA and Major League Baseball on the historic first collective-bargaining agreement for minor leaguers, union officials tell ESPN. Deal is five years and includes at least 2x pay at all levels of the minors.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1641258920323710976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What a way to start off a new baseball season! While the deal isn’t without caveats — as the Domestic Reserve List would decrease from 180 to 165 per team if the deal goes through — baseball fans were happy to see minor leaguers get a well-deserved pay bump.
Unbelievably proud to be apart of such a historic moment. We as a collective group in partnership & support from @MLBPA have now paved a way for the current/future generations of ball players. Allowing all of us to chase the childhood dream & to do so w/ legit financial security https://t.co/mrYahTCe8X
— GB (@GarrisonBryant) March 30, 2023
An example of unionization and collective bargaining in the sports world making a difference for minor league players. https://t.co/0AdQLfmwnM
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) March 30, 2023
Never thought I’d see the day. Imagine how many minor leaguers who eventually had to give it up would’ve kept at it under these circumstances. https://t.co/ZzdZZqBJqb
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) March 30, 2023
This is a big deal. Great news. https://t.co/trIOvlKNEL
— Ben Kaspick (@BenKaspick) March 30, 2023
Incredible how much progress has been made, and people like @harry_marino, @broshuis, @tykelly11 and so many others who tirelessly help Minor League players earn anywhere close to a living wage https://t.co/EkXL0BJbwe
— Shlomo Sprung (@SprungOnSports) March 30, 2023
FINALLY. Progress. https://t.co/AfqHwcXriv
— Sarah Tiana (@sarahtiana) March 30, 2023
Getting there. A step in the right direction. https://t.co/OS0lqPn3ZG
— The Prospect Times (@ProspectTimes) March 30, 2023
This is a great way to begin the season. Long overdue. https://t.co/pLlLEIc8tY
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) March 30, 2023
Good for the boys! https://t.co/qaLXqIL9rz
— Jeff Johnson (@jeje66) March 30, 2023
This is huge. So much better for everyone involved! https://t.co/0xeKMR7I4k
— Nathan Strauss (@NathanPStrauss) March 30, 2023
