Associated Press 18y

Talks begin on MLB collective bargaining deal

MLB

BOSTON -- Negotiations have begun on a new collective
bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires in December,
baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday night.

"We've had some talks. It's ongoing and I'm very hopeful this
time," he said at Fenway Park while the Red Sox played the Toronto
Blue Jays. "There's a lot to be done on both sides. But I feel
very good about where we are."

Despite a history of work stoppages, baseball and the players
union reached an agreement in 2002 that expires on Dec. 19.

"We've had preliminary discussions," said Gene Orza, the No. 2
man on the players' side. "I wouldn't characterize them as
substantive. ... The parties talked about what they would like to
discuss. I wouldn't characterize them as negotiating meetings. I
would characterize them as preliminary to negotiating meetings."

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