The Opener: Latest CBA Proposal, Rasmussen, Managers

The wait is over. Our annual Free Agent Prediction Contest is live. Get those picks in! 1. MLB makes proposal, MLBPA says no The league tossed out its latest collective bargaining proposal on Tuesday. The proposed agreement included an adjustment to the salary cap system, but only a minor one. It would go into effect for 2028 instead of 2027. Since a delayed salary cap is still a salary cap, the MLBPA quickly rejected the plan. There was more to the proposal than the salary cap timing, details of which can be found here, but that will continue to be the sticking point between the two sides. 2. Rays to keep Rasmussen? Right-hander Drew Rasmussen would be one of the most desirable arms on the trade market if Tampa Bay were interested in moving him. We have him second on the list of potential trade candidates, behind only Angels lefty Reid Detmers. President of baseball operations Erik Neander pushed back against the idea of dealing Rasmussen, though. “I can sit here very confidently and say that every intention right now is thinking about ‘Ras’ anchoring our rotation,” Neander told reporters yesterday. The Rays picked up Rasmussen’s $20MM club option, which would make him their highest-paid player ever, if he remains on the roster. 3. And then there were two One of the three managerial vacancies was filled on Tuesday, with the Mariners hiring Jason Kanzler as their new skipper. Kanzler has served as the Cubs’ director of player development for the past three seasons. At 36 years old, he’s the second-youngest manager in the league, behind Blake Butera of the Nationals. The final two current managerial openings are the Astros and Angels. Houston’s search is now being led by new GM Randy Flores. The team will interview Rangers’ bench coach Luis Urueta and has already sat down with Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus. Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images View Comments (2)