One certainty for Major League Baseball is Opening Day not taking place this week, nor will it before May 10. MLB has twice delayed the start of the 2020 season in conjunction with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With the CDC having suggested gatherings of 50 or more people be cancelled into May, the reality is MLB likely wouldn’t start its season until June. The long layoff will require a second Spring Training, which at minimum would figure to still be two weeks.
Every indication has pointed to MLB and the MLB Players Association remaining committed to playing 162 games this year, even if it entails extending the regular season into October. However, the viability of managing to accomplish as much very much hinges on slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
If games are lost, compensation for players and how service time would be calculated are among the issues MLB and the MLBPA reportedly continue to haggle over. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, new Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price was on an MLBPA call to discuss those topics and more:
Some of the game’s highest-profile players have been engaged in discussions, with Mike Trout, Gerrit Cole, Bryce Harper, Zack Greinke, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Rendon and David Price among the 100 or so who participated in a union conference call Sunday to discuss the issues, sources said.
While Price remains under contract through the 2022 season, Mookie Betts potentially would become a free agent this fall. Once considered a mere formality, it now hinges on whatever agreement is reached.
In addition to service time and compensation, MLB and the MLBPA reportedly have been in talks surrounding the 2020 Draft and 2020-21 international signing period. The league is believed to be seeking authority to fully cancel or modify the 2020 MLB Draft, which remains scheduled for June 10-12.
The proverbial clock will begin ticking Thursday, when all 30 teams were scheduled to be in action.
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