The union for minor league MLB players and the league have agreed on collective bargaining agreement that will see players receive major pay increases and many other useful perks as they make their journey to the big leagues.
On Wednesday night, The Athletic was the first to report that the MLBPA, on behalf of minor league athletes, and MLB had come to terms on the first CBA for players in the various levels of the league’s farm system.
Up until this point, minor league players had never been able to bargain for pay increases and improved accommodations since they had no formal union. However, that all changed in 2022 and has now led to a paradigm shift moment in the industry.
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One of the major areas players will see a notable boost is in pay. The report claims that complex league and rookie ball players will go from making just under $5000 per year to $19,800. Single A talent will get a $15,000 boost. High-A players will earn just over $16,000 more. Double-A pay moves up to $30,250 from $13,800, and finally, Triple-A players will now earn $35,800, up from $17,500 previously.
The salary bumps will go into effect immediately after the deal is ratified by players and all 30 MLB owners, which is expected to occur in the next couple of days. “Per one estimate, the CBA will cost MLB around $90 million the first year.”
Minor league players will also now get more favorable housing and travel accommodations for themselves and their families over the life of the five-year CBA with MLB. Below you can find many more improvements for minor league players in the new deal.
• The creation of a joint clubhouse nutrition committee to oversee meal quality, and increase in per diem.
• A committee for feedback on rule changes that MLB implements in the minors.
• A joint drug agreement and domestic violence policy.
• Players receive their NIL rights, and the MLBPA plans to do group licensing.
• With medical issues, players in certain circumstances will have rights to second opinions.
• Different training periods: The fall training period lasts from the end of the season until the Friday before Thanksgiving. A dead period follows from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through Jan. 1. Then there will be a winter training period from Jan. 2 until spring training.
• MLB formally agreed that there would not be contraction of minor league teams during the life of the CBA. Contraction would be highly unlikely anyway because MLB signed 10-year contracts with each minor league club.
– The Athletic