The Red Sox And Yankees Are Ready For Opening Day, Despite Contention On Terms

The season’s first game is set for April 7, marking the end of the 99-day Major League Baseball lockout. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees will go head-to-head on Opening Day 2022.

After finally reaching an agreement, the lockout in MLB came to an end on Thursday, March 10, with both MLB and the Major League Baseball Player’s Union (MLBPA) involved.

Massachusetts currently prohibits sports betting, but there has been significant vocal support from politicians and officials regarding its potential, particularly during major sporting occasions such as the Super Bowl.

What did the votes look like?

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was approved with a majority vote of 26 in favor and 12 against.

In the MLB, 26 teams supported the agreement while four teams opposed it. Conversely, on the player side, the MLBPA executive council unanimously voted against the agreement with an 8-0 vote.

The Yankees, along with the Cardinals, Astros, and Mets, were among the four teams that opposed the new agreement between MLB and MLBPA.

Despite the opposing team’s four votes, the passing of the CBA remained unaffected. It is worth noting, however, that all four teams have direct connections to one of the eight players on the committee, all of whom voted against the proposed terms.

However, despite the initial vote passing the agreement, all 30 teams unanimously voted in favor of ratifying the CBA, thus solidifying its official status.

How are the Red Sox feeling about the CBA?

The Red Sox are poised to benefit greatly from the new CBA’s higher competitive balance tax threshold. Historically, they have invested generously in top-tier talent. Hence, the prospect of being able to spend more freely without facing penalties is fantastic news for them. Moreover, taking advantage of this opportunity could significantly enhance their roster.

Sam Kennedy, the CEO of the Red Sox, has remained silent on the matter of the CBT threshold increase and has not provided any information regarding whether the Red Sox will surpass it this season.

Kennedy expressed his joy in being able to reconnect with players once again, considering the 99-day lockout during which staff had no contact with them. He describes it as a significant source of relief.

Kennedy expressed his excitement for the future and eagerly anticipated the upcoming developments. He emphasized that this was the necessary step forward for the sport, expressing delight over the agreement reached between the players and owners. Kennedy believes that this agreement will benefit both parties, enabling them to propel the sport in the desired direction.

Yankees have to scramble to get the season in order

Despite the Yankees’ opposition to the new CBA, its successful approval indicates the end of the lockout, compelling them to focus on their roster. With Opening Day merely weeks ahead, the Yankees will soon make their way to the Bronx for a showdown against the Red Sox.

Prior to the conclusion of the lockout, the Yankees had yet to address several positions, including shortstop, center field, and first baseman. As soon as the agreement was reached, free agency commenced at 6 pm on Thursday night.

Red Sox are in better shape

In contrast, it seems that the Red Sox are in a more advantageous position, particularly following what appears to have been a chaotic evening following the approval of the agreement.

Kennedy expressed, “Baseball operations are in a state of chaos. Conversations with agents and negotiations kept us busy with text messages and emails until the early hours of the morning, around 1:30 or 2:00.”

However, before the lockout, the Red Sox took some preliminary actions.

• Milwaukee acquired outfielder Hunter Renfroe through a trade, while Jackie Bradley Jr. was gained in return.
• The team has officially acquired three new pitchers: James Paxton, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill, all of whom have signed contracts.

“Pitching depth is an absolute necessity, no doubt about it,” expressed Sam Kennedy, the CEO of the Red Sox. “While we possess some exceptional young talent in that area, we must acquire additional pitching resources.”

In recent times, the Red Sox made a significant move by acquiring the services of Trevor Story, a seasoned shortstop who had previously played for the Colorado Rockies for six seasons. Known for his exceptional power and speed, this two-time All-Star secured a lucrative six-year contract valued at $140 million.

Kennedy mentioned that there is a requirement for additional depth in both the outfield and infield. Nonetheless, he assured that he was not worried about time constraints as the start of the season draws near.

We have a small window of time available, but it’s going to be a fast-paced endeavor. Luckily, we have all the necessary resources. The upcoming weeks leading to Opening Day promise to be exhilarating.

Will sports betting be legalized during the MLB season?

Sports betting, although receiving significant support, is unlikely to be legalized in the near future. This is especially evident following Sen. Michael Rodrigues’ retraction of comments that initially appeared to endorse sports betting, as he chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Currently, Massachusetts residents are required to travel to neighboring states in order to legally place bets on the Red Sox and other local sports teams.