One day after Major League Baseball declined to issue a counteroffer to the MLBPA’s latest proposal in collective bargaining talks and instead requested federal mediation, the MLBPA issued a statement rejecting that request. It reads as follows:

“Two months after implementing their lockout, and just two days after committing to Players that a counterproposal would be made, the owners refused to make a counter, and instead requested mediation.

After consultation with our Executive Board, and taking into account a variety of factors, we have declined this request.

The clearest path to a fair and timely agreement is to get back to the table. Players stand ready to negotiate.”