NEW YORK, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- With a proposed work stoppage less than three days away, the chief negotiator for Major League Baseball revealed Tuesday night that the day's bargaining sessions were more "conceptual" than substantive.
With Friday's 1 p.m. Eastern time deadline looming, representatives for the players and owners met twice Tuesday to discuss the two key issues -- a possible luxury tax on team payrolls and revenue sharing.
Rob Manfred, the owner's top labor lawyer, said the sides did not exchange any proposals but instead discussed the ideas conceptually.
Manfred was quick to point out that time was of the essence.
"I hope we meet again (Tuesday night) because we do not have a lot of time," he said.
Players Association spokesman Greg Bouris said the union had no news conference scheduled for Tuesday.
Manfred's comments came in the wake of reports that teams have begun addressing travel plans for series that begin Friday. The Chicago White Sox have canceled their charter flight to Detroit, while the Boston Red Sox have rescheduled their trip around a possible stoppage.
"We will be prepared to play the games on Friday and we will be prepared on Saturday," Manfred said. "It is not our decision."
Manfred did say that Commissioner Bud Selig may arrive in New York on Wednesday, but it is not a mandate that he partake in bargaining sessions.
"Bud Selig is involved in every step we have taken," Manfred said. "I must have spoken to him 15 times today, and he is an active member of our caucus. Understand that he is the CEO of
baseball and it is rare when the CEO of a corporation becomes involved in negotiations."
Friday's stoppage would be the sport's ninth in 30 years, and perhaps its most damaging.
