According to this article the negotiators are making slow progress in a number of areas and the players are still holding off on setting a strike date. That may change depending on how things go this week. Just the fact that there is some progress is a little surprising. Can it actually be that the two sides are finally waking up to the danger they face if they pull another 1994?

Today the MLBPA agreed to allow one or more unannounced tests next year for illegal steroid use, with follow-up testing for one or two years after that. Vernon Wells is quoted as saying "Unfortunately, we have to prove our innocence. If none of (what Caminiti and Canseco said) happened, we wouldn't have to do this." Damn them for telling the truth!

Anyway, it's a good thing, and suggests that progress is being made. Now will the owners agree open their books?

Will the owners even agree to the players' plan, which seems rather limited?

This could be seen as progress, but then again, steroid use was not an issue (or at least a major one) in negotiations until the Canseco and Caminiti quotes hit the news.

[quote]Originally posted by redsoxbreath:
Vernon Wells[:] "...if none of (what Caminiti and Canseco said) happened, we wouldn't have to do this." Damn them for telling the truth!

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I see, so we're accepting the C&C 'estimates' of 80% player usage as gospel, are we? Didn't Caminiti recant some of his quotes days after they appeared?

Excellent summary of reasons for optimism in the labor talks by BP's Joe Sheehan -- for one thing, I understand the argument against a straight pool for local TV revenue now.