Mancini moved forward as stoppage neared (updated)

The sides met multiple times again yesterday, Major League Baseball's negotiating committee and representatives for the MLB Players Association engaging in face-to-face discussions that, according to various reports, lasted about as long as it takes to get through self-checkout at the grocery store.

Negotiations were shut down by the middle of the afternoon, with the sport expected to follow after midnight.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman tweeted that owners voted unanimously to institute the lockout and it begins today.

Business is supposed to be halted, including all transactions and free agency. Team employees such as general managers, managers and coaches have been instructed to not talk about players on the 40-man roster.

It's possible that clubs will institute their own rules while navigating a situation that hasn't occurred in 27 years.

No one is accustomed to smooth sailing, but the waters haven't been this choppy in a long time.

Only players on the 40-man are impacted by the evaporation of the collective bargaining agreement. The non-roster guys can proceed as if everything is normal, working out with coaches at the minor league complex and preparing for their season.

If there's a positive element to an expiring CBA, and apparently no advances made on a new one, it's that there's lots of time to get it done. Orioles pitchers and catchers don't report to spring training until Feb. 15.

No one benefits from another late start to the season.

The Athletic reported yesterday that the most divisive issues include revenue sharing, number of years to free agency and arbitration. You know, the small stuff.

Chris Davis used to be the Orioles' union representative until Trey Mancini handled the responsibilities in his absence. Now they've fallen upon John Means, who must keep his teammates informed of any new developments and provide incremental updates.

With everything that Mancini has endured since his cancer diagnosis in March 2020, and the grind of playing 147 games and making himself available for every interview request to rehash the details - the media obligations, like this week's ESPN2 segment, and his charitable endeavors consuming so much of his time that they could be separate occupations - he certainly won't mind laying low for a while during an offseason that's included his engagement to former MASN sideline reporter Sara Perlman and their move to Laguna Beach, Calif.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias was on the clock this week trying to complete work on the 40-man roster before midnight, getting a deal done with infielder Rougned Odor on a one-year contract late Tuesday. Capping a day that also required the club to tender contracts to three arbitration-eligible players and sign three others for 2022.

Mancini fell into the first group, promised a deal for next season and now waiting to find out how much he'll be paid. To find out when baseball will open again for business.

There was zero chance that Mancini would be non-tendered, but here he is again, wondering whether he might be traded or if the Orioles will consider an extension and keep him in Baltimore, which always has been his preference.

Thus far, there haven't been any discussions about the latter, and Mancini understands that his eligibility for free agency after the season makes him susceptible to a trade, whether during the offseason or at the deadline. He'll keep his focus narrowed, just glad to make it through Tuesday night in routine and anticipated fashion.

"Just one of those things," he said. "Obviously, it's been a little bit of a different path for me than most people going through arb, with the only taste of a typical arb thing being that first year, which was about two months before COVID hit and I was diagnosed with cancer. Ever since that, it's been a very interesting case.

"Obviously, I took the same amount ($4.75 million) last year and now I feel a little bit more back to normal, which has been nice. The whole offseason has felt a lot more how I'm used to, and that goes for this, too. I know it's a business and nothing will ever surprise me, so it's one of those deals that I let Mark (Rodgers), my agent, take care of and just wait for a call."

The same approach Mancini takes with potential extension talks and how the club could veer in either of a couple of directions, including a trade.

"It's a very interesting and kind of complicated case, just given everything that happened," he said. "I came back this year. It certainly wasn't my best season, it wasn't my worst."

Has it ever been busier?

Mancini will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex two years removed from his diagnosis, surgery and treatments. He expects to feel stronger, and maybe the attention on him will weaken.

Maybe he can more easily blend with his teammates in the clubhouse and on the field. He'll be happy to no longer give voters reason to choose him as Comeback Player of the Year.

"Yeah, I've been joking because a lot of people have been congratulating me on it, which I really appreciate, but I tell everybody I really hope this is the last time I win that award, as honored as I am to have received it," he said.

"Hopefully, things keep feeling more back to normal. I know that it's also going to be a huge part of my story for the rest of my career and life, and I'm completely OK with that. This first year was really tough and something that I had never gone through before, and I kind of had to learn how to live with it a little bit. I feel like every day that goes by, I do a better job of that. So yeah, I'm definitely feeling refreshed, I guess is the best word I can describe myself as feeling right now, and really excited."

* The Athletic reported late last night that the Orioles signed former Rangers right-hander Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $7 million and including an $11 million club option for 2023.

The deal is pending a physical that will take place after the work stoppage, which has been instituted and forced the cancellation of the Winter Meetings.

This is the largest signing by far under Elias, topping the $3 million spent on veteran shortstop José Iglesias in January 2020.

Lyles, 31, was drafted 38th overall by the Astros in 2008 and the Orioles are his seventh team. He spent the last two seasons with the Rangers after signing a $16 million free agent contract in December 2019 and went 11-19 with a 5.60 ERA and 1.431 WHIP in 44 games (39 starts). He was 10-13 this summer with a 5.15 ERA and 1.389 WHIP in 32 games (30 starts) totaling 180 innings, and his 38 home runs led the majors.

His 103 earned runs were the most in the American League.

Overall, Lyles is 54-79 with a 5.21 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in 289 games (182 starts) with the Astros, Rockies, Padres, Brewers, Pirates and Rangers. He had two iterations with Milwaukee. He's averaged 3.1 walks and 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

The contract with the Orioles reportedly includes a $5.5 million base salary, $500,000 signing bonus and $1 million buyout. He also will receive $500,000 if traded.

Means is no longer the lone veteran presence in a rotation that remains a mystery beyond the top few starters.