MLB commissioner Rob Manfred took questions from reporters on Thursday for the first time since Major League Baseball initiated its lockout in December, and as expected, the players didn’t particularly like what they heard.
Many expected Manfred to announce the official delayed start of spring training with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report next week. But Manfred declined to do so, insisting instead that there will be no change to the league calendar and that he’s optimistic a deal can be reached soon. He did say that the league agreed on a universal DH starting next season, but other than that, Manfred resorted to deflection.
When asked specifically why the league waited 42 days after the lockout started to begin negotiations with the union, Manfred pinned blame on that players — you know, the party being locked out — that “phones work two ways.”
Manfred on owners waiting 42 days to meet with players after imposing lockout: "Phones work two ways."
— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) February 10, 2022
So while Manfred tried to project optimism heading into Saturday’s negotiation session, MLB players made it clear how little they trust Manfred.
Robert Manfred is optimistic that the regular season will begin on time pic.twitter.com/lMotc8y6Wq
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 10, 2022