MLB history: Lessons learned during the previous MLB lockout in 1990
How could this impact the MLB lockout today?
By and large, a lot of the hangups from 1990 are hangups in the current negotiations in the MLB lockout.
Reportedly, the MLBPA wants the arbitration time pushed back to two years and, now, they want free agency after five years.
The MLBPA is also not happy because, in recent years, there has been rumblings of collusion between the owners on free agents. Before this year (e.g. a week before the lockout), most of the free agent signings often came in late January or early February, when players start to get desperate to sign.
The MLBPA also wants anti-taking measures, or essentially, a salary floor. In 1990 and 1994, a salary cap from the owner’s end of negotiations was the death of their negotiations.
Owners, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred, made numerous concessions, like a universal DH, a draft lottery system (part of anti-tanking), elimination of a draft pick after a qualifying offer, increases to the minimum salary, and increase to the competitive balance tax threshold. MLB also wants expanded postseason.
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The lockout case of 1990 shows that, despite not agreeing on a new CBA until late March, a full 162-game season can happen but after that, both sides could be in a world of hurt financially and with fans.