By Ronald Blum
Published [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]
NEW YORK (AP) — Minor league players reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball on Wednesday that will more than double player salaries, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not announced.
As part of the five-year deal, MLB agreed during the contract not to reduce minor league affiliates from the current 120.
The sides reached the agreement two days before the start of the minor league season and hours after a federal judge gave final approval to a $185 million settlementreached with MLB last May of a lawsuit filed in 2014 alleging violations of federal minimum wage laws.
Union staff recommended approval, and about 5,500 minor leaguers were eligible to cast ballots in a vote expected Thursday. MLB teams must also vote to approve and were likely to do so over the next week.
Minimum salaries will rise from $4,800 to $19,800 at rookie ball, $11,000 to $26,200 at Low Class A, $11,000 to $27,300 at High Class A, $13,800 to $27,300 at Double A and $17,500 to $35,800 at Triple-A. Players will be paid in the offseason for the first time.
Most players will be guaranteed housing, and players at Double-A and Triple-A will be given a single room. Players at Low A and High A will have the option of exchanging club housing for a stipend. The domestic violence and drug policies will be covered by the union agreement. Players who sign for the first time at 19 or older can become minor league free agents after six seasons instead of seven.
Minor leaguers players will receive four weeks of retroactive spring training pay for this year. They will get $625 weekly for spring training and offseason training camp and $250 weekly for offseason workouts at home.
Beginning in 2024, teams can have a maximum of 165 players under contract during the season and 175 during the offseason, down from the current 190 and 180.
The union will take over group licensing rights for players.
Major leaguers have been covered by a labor contract since 1968 and the average salary has soared from $17,000 in 1967 to an average of $4.22 million last season.
MLB raised minor league minimum salaries in 2021 and last year began requiring housing for some minor leaguers.
The Major League Baseball Players Association took over as the bargaining representative of the roughly 5,500 players with minor league contracts last September after a lightning 17-day organization drive.MLB agreed to accept the union rather than force players to ask the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election.
Negotiating for players was led by Tony Clark, Bruce Meyer, Harry Marino, Ian Penny and Matt Nussbaum. MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem headed management’s bargainers.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
FAQs
MLB posted record revenue in 2023, but teams scaled back on free agent spending this year overall, as well as on big ticket items. 12 free agents signed contracts worth at least $85 million last offseason, but just five this year.
What's the minimum salary for an AAA baseball player? ›
The minimum annual salaries now range from $19,800 in rookie ball (up from $4,800 previously) to $35,800 in Triple A (up from $17,500 previously).
What percentage of Little Leaguers make it to the MLB? ›
003% of little leaguers will even get to play in the major leagues!
Why is April 15 1947 such a significant date what does Major League Baseball do annually to recognize this historic day? ›
BSN MLB: MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CELEBRATES JACKIE ROBINSON DAY: On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Baseball's color barrier when he made his historic MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson's debut was meant with both joy and anger throughout the country.
Who is the lowest paid player in the MLB? ›
Lowest-paid MLB players
| MLB Player | Team | Annual earnings |
|---|
| Easton McGee | SEA | $720,000 |
| Ryan Noda | OAK | $720,000 |
| Bryce Miller | SEA | $720,000 |
| Tayler Saucedo | SEA | $720,000 |
111 more rowsOct 30, 2023
Rookie MLB umpires can expect to earn an annual salary of approximately $100,000 to $200,000. As they gain experience and prove their abilities, they can advance to mid-level and eventually top-tier status. Rookie umpires undergo a rigorous training and evaluation process before and during their first season in MLB.
How much do AAA umpires make? ›
As they gain experience and move up the ranks, their pay increases, with experienced umpires in Triple-A (the highest level of the minor leagues) earning an average of $3,500 to $4,500 per month. Once an umpire has proven themselves in the minor leagues, they may be considered for a promotion to the MLB.
What do Double-A players make? ›
How Much Are Minor League Baseball Players Paid In 2024?
| Weekly Salaries | 2019 | 2021 |
|---|
| Rookie-level | $3,480 | $4,800 |
| Low-A | $6,380 | $11,000 |
| High-A | $6,380 | $11,000 |
| Double-A | $7,700 | $13,800 |
18 more rowsMay 8, 2024
50 Highest Paid MLB Players – 2024
- 5) Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers – $37 million.
- 4) Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – $40 million.
- 3) Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers – $43.33 million.
- 2) Justin Verlander, Houston Astros – $43.33 million.
- 1) Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – $70 million.
I once read the odds for a varsity high school player (who had already played for several years) making it to the Majors is less than 1 in 8,000. That is around . 0125% … Playing any level of professional baseball, including the lowest independent levels, after playing varsity high school ball is maybe 2%.
Michael Conforto, Oregon State (2012-14)
He's one of just three ballplayers in history to play in the Little League World Series, College World Series and MLB World Series.
Have any Little League World Series players made it to the majors? ›
Current and Former Major Leaguers who have Played in the Little League Baseball World Series. There have been a total of 64 confirmed graduates of the Little League Baseball® World Series that have gone on to play at the highest level of baseball, including a number of today's current stars.
Why can't MLB players wear 42? ›
In 1997, Major League Baseball honored Jackie Robinson by making his No. 42 the first uniform number to be retired across the sport. That said, players who were wearing No. 42 at the time could choose to continue wearing it until they retired.
Why was Jackie Robinson not allowed to play? ›
At Fort Riley, he was not allowed to play baseball because the coach refused to integrate the team. In 1944, after being reassigned to Camp Hood, Texas, Robinson's refusal to move to back of an Army bus at the camp led to his being court martialed.
Did Jackie Robinson ever pitch? ›
He demanded, and got, a trade after it became obvious Robinson would be on the 1947 Dodgers. He pitched for the Pirates that year, and in '48 and '49, and for the New York Giants in '49 and '50.
What is the lowest payroll in MLB 2024? ›
The average total team payroll across MLB in 2024 is $102,383,209. The New York Mets have the highest payroll at $316,547,279. The lowest payroll belongs to the Oakland Athletics at $62,402,923.
What is the MLB tax threshold for 2024? ›
The Competitive Balance Tax in Major League Baseball is a soft salary cap which ensures teams do not spend too much money on player salaries. In 2024, the payroll threshold was set at 237 million U.S. dollars.
What is the current MLB minimum salary? ›
For players on their first MLB contract, the minimum salaries for the years 2022 to 2026 are as follows: 2022: $57,200. 2023: $58,800. 2024: $60,300.
