The deadline for Major League Baseball (MLB) and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to agree before the MLB season was delayed was initially scheduled for February 28 by midnight. Still, after the MLB felt close enough to make a deal, the deadline was moved to March 1 at 5:00 pm, but even the new deadline could not salvage a deal to save opening day.

According to ESPN’s MLB insider, MLB’s best and final offer had no changes to the competitive balance tax (CBT) thresholds. MLB’s CBT offered $220 million for 2022 to 2024, $224 million in 2025, and $230 million in 2026. MLB’s offer also included a $5 million increase on pre-arbitration bonus pool from $25 million to $30 million while increasing the minimum salary from $675,000 to $700,000 and increasing $10,000 each year.

The MLBPA is seeking CBT thresholds starting at $238 million in 2022, $244 million in 2023, $250 million in 2024, $256 million in 2025, and $263 million in 2026. They also seek minimum salaries starting at $725,000 while going up $20,000 each year.

After the MLBPA did not like MLB’s “best offer,” they rejected their offer before the 5:00 pm deadline. As a result, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred held a press conference at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, and announced the cancellation of the first two series of the season. Manfred stated at the owners’ meeting in Orlando said, “I see missing games as a disastrous outcome for this industry, and we’re committed to making an agreement in an effort to avoid that.” Unfortunately, Manfred is now facing the disastrous reality for the foreseeable future.

Los Angeles of Anaheim center fielder and MLB superstar Mike Trout took to Instagram and Twitter to express his frustration by saying, “I want to play, I love our game, but I know we need to get this CBA right. Instead of bargaining in good faith – MLB locked us out. Instead of negotiating a fair deal – Rob canceled games. Players stand together. For our game, for our fans, and for every player who comes after us. We owe it to the next generation.”

March 3, the MLB lead negotiators Dan Halem and Morgan Sword and MLBPA lead negotiators Bruce Mayer and Ian Penny met in New York City. According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, topics discussed in the meeting were the bargaining subjects and the timing talks so that opening day can be here sooner rather than later. The next meeting between the MLB and MLBPA has yet to be determined.