Manfred hopeful of new CBA before free-agent period

TORONTO (AP) Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred remains optimistic that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached before the free-agent signing period begins following this year's World Series.

Speaking before the Blue Jays hosted the Baltimore Orioles in Tuesday's American League wild card game, Manfred said he hoped teams would be operating under the terms of a new agreement when free agency begins. Currently, teams have five days after the World Series to make qualifying offers to their free agents. Players are free to sign with new teams six days after the World Series ends.

''The last time around, in 2011, we actually extended a couple of deadlines in the free agent market in order to allow us to finish up,'' Manfred said. ''I do think there is a natural deadline there, the idea of operating under the new agreement is an appealing one so let's hope we do it again.''

The current CBA, in place since November, 2011, expires on December 2.