Labor Deal Complete

The deal is done, and now now just needs to be ratified - and that's not going to be a problem. I'm extremely pleased by the fact that the two sides recognize what a good thing they have going right now.

While most of the major parts of the CBA will remain intact from the previous agreement, there are two changes of note. For one thing, the minimum salary is going to rise from $327,000 to $380,000, a pretty hefty increase which is good news for the young guys who are the only ones making the minimum. The other change, which I think is much more significant, is that draft pick compensation for "some free agents" will be eliminated. I assume that means the lower-grade free agents, but having not seen anything in writing I don't know that for sure.

Anyway, the biggest news here is that, at least until 2011, we won't be taking about labor issues with Major League Baseball. Thank God.