MLBPA secures major victory for Minor League Baseball players

History was made this week as Minor League Baseball players struck a deal on Friday with Major League Baseball on their first collective bargaining agreement. It’s a tentative five-year deal for minor league players who joined the MLBPA in August 2022, with MLB that will double player pay at each level. MLB owners are expected to sign off on the new collective bargaining agreement.

A historic day for Minor League Baseball players

The changes that will be implemented for minor league players:

• Players will start getting paid all year, minus a six-week break in the winter. In the past, minor league players were not paid during the offseason or even in spring training. Players will receive retro pay for this year’s spring training.
• Improved medical rights, health and retirement benefits.
• Most players will be guaranteed housing, as players in Double-A and Triple-A will be given a single room, while players at High-A and Low-A will have an option of trading in club housing for a stipend.
• Any player who signs at 19 can be minor league free agents after six seasons instead of seven.
• Improved transportation polices, which include daily transportation to and from the field, individual travel and team travel.
• Increased per diem and a creation of a committee to oversee meal quality. For certain teams, they were charging $10 a day for food.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the pay structure would look something like this for players across all levels.

Another part of the five-year deal, MLB has agreed not to cut any minor league affiliates, another step in changes that have been brewing. There are currently 120 across the four-levels.

“The agreement represents a giant step forward in treating Minor League Players as the elite professional athletes that they are,” Executive Director Tony Clark said. “It’s a historic day for these Players, their families, and the entire Player fraternity.”