Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh offers to get involved in lockout talks

"I have spoken to both the MLBPA and MLB about the ongoing contract negotiations and encourage both sides to continue engagement," Walsh said through a spokesperson, via The Athletic. "Like any contract negotiation in any industry, I stand ready to help facilitate productive conversations that result in the best outcome for workers and employers."

It isn't clear how the MLBPA will react to Walsh's offer given it rejected the league's offer last week to bring in a third-party mediator for the negotiations. However, the need for any kind of help in the negotiations is becoming more critical with spring training originally scheduled to begin in just a couple of weeks. 

The two sides are still in disagreement over issues such as the start of free agency and compensation for younger players, with the MLBPA insinuating the league has not made a big enough effort to negotiate. Owners are expected to meet in Florida this week, and the union expects them to formulate a new offer, although it still seems unlikely the two sides are going to come to a full agreement in time for pitchers and catchers to report. 

At best, owners will formulate a new deal this week that will get the ball rolling on the currentl -stalled negotiations so the upcoming baseball season doesn't get too truncated.