ST. LOUIS (AP) - People familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press that signing bonuses for amateur draft picks is the last major issue left in talks on baseball’s new labor contract.
Negotiators for players and owners met Tuesday in New York, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcements were authorized.
Commissioner Bud Selig wants a system of fixed signing bonuses that tie the amount to the round and number when a prospect is drafted, known as slotting. Players have traditionally said the signing bonuses should be the subject of negotiation.
While draft bonuses are the last big issue, those provisions are tied to other parts of the agreement, such as the luxury tax and the reserve system.
The current agreement expires Dec. 11.
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