THE NEW CBA: BYB'S COMPREHENSIVE TAKE

Unlike the NFL and NBA collective bargaining negotiations, Major League Baseball wrapped up theirs rather quickly, with the owners and Major League Baseball Players Association agreeing to a new five-year deal. Let's be honest, MLB has had trouble in the past with player strikes and work stoppages, so they didn't want to get into that fiasco again. There are a lot of exciting new--and even stupid--nuggets that the CBA has to offer, and you can read the entire summary of the new CBA right HERE. In the meantime, here's some pros and cons of the new CBA...

The Pros:

1. HGH testing: This is something that had to be done throughout Major League Baseball. No one likes a cheater, and the new HGH testing program will snuff out the cheaters if caught. HGH can only be tested through blood samples, as this was one of the main reasons why there wasn't testing in the majors previously, although it's been in the minor leagues for two seasons. There is a loophole with the HGH testing though, as there are no in-season tests, just testing during Spring Training and once the baseball season concludes. I hope the owners and the MLBPA can one day agree to have in-season testing one of these days, but for now this is a big step in the right direction. Read more about the specifics of HGH testing HERE.

2. Expanded rosters for certain doubleheaders: The second rule I like about the new CBA is expanding the rosters. Regular rosters from April through the end of August contain 25 players, with it being expanded to 26 for certain doubleheaders. I know this doesn't seem like much of a change, but it does make a difference. To have that extra bat off the bench, or that extra arm in the bullpen can be critical in winning or losing a game. With the Houston Astros moving to the American League in 2013 (more on that in a bit), I believe that the regular roster size should be expanded to 26, period. Not "certain" doubleheaders, but for every game. It shouldn't be that big of a deal, because what's one extra body in the clubhouse? It also shouldn't affect teams payroll, because I'm sure that 26th man wouldn't make much money as it is. Like the HGH testing, maybe this is just a step in the right direction and the rule may expand as time moves along.3. Expanded replay: Slowly but surely, MLB is expanding instant replay. The original replay rules starting in 2008 allowed umpires to review home runs that were fair/foul, whether the ball left the playing field on a home run or not, and if the ball was subject to fan interference. With the new CBA, fair/foul balls hit down the line and balls that are trapped/caught can be reviewed as well. I'm all for instant replay, the objective is to get the call right whether it helps or hurts the Yankees.

The Cons:

1. Extra Wild Card: It's not that I hate this addition, it's just I thought the previous format was fine as it is. Three division winners and one wild card in each league. That's cool with me. Now with the new format, there is a second wild card that plays the first wild card in a winner moves on, loser goes home, Game 163 type format. The problem I have with this is for example, if the first wild card team team is the Yankees who won 100 games, while the second wild card is the Los Angeles Angels who won 88 games, the Angels could easily get a lucky break to win the game, and the 100 win Yankees season could be down the drain just like that, while the Angels advance to the Division Series. With the new rule in place, this further increases the importance to win your respective division to avoid said Game 163.
2. Houston Astros moving to AL: With this change beginning in 2013, there's going to be inter-league play everyday, which means more Yankee games in National League parks. I hate the National League rules, you know why? Because times have changed, and pitchers shouldn't have to hit anymore. This isn't the '40's people, this is the 21st century, and in the 21st century the pitchers don't hit, and teams have a DH. I'm sick of pitchers running around the bases in jackets, double switches, and pitchers being taken out early because their spot in the order is due up next inning. This ties back to having 26-man rosters every game, so AL teams can be suited for these National League shenanigans when needed.(In photo: Gerrit Cole)
3. Draft spending limits: For the most part, these new set of rules fly under the radar a bit, but I hate these new rules the most. Let's start with the MLB draft. In previous years, teams can spend at will for their draft class. Now, there's a $4.5 million-$11.5 million signing bonus limit for the ENTIRE draft class. Keep in mind, there are up to 50 rounds in the MLB draft. This not only affects teams like the Yankees who have the luxury to throw money at guys who threaten to go to college instead of signing wit the team that drafted them, but it also affects rebuilding teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates who spent $13 million alone on their top two draft picks, Gerrit Cole and Josh Bell, in the 2011 MLB draft. If a team overspends even 5% of said ceiling, there will be a 75% tax on overage and loss of first round pick.

There's plenty of more rules I like and dislike about the new CBA, but overall I'm glad everything was agreed upon with the owners and the MLBPA, thus ending any chance of there being no baseball in 2012.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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