As the month of January comes to a close, attention will soon shift to the scheduled start of 2021 Spring Training, which is just over two weeks away.
All indications to this point are that camps will open on time despite the Cactus League asking Major League Baseball to re-evaluate the situation because of high coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates in Maricopa County.
MLB reportedly encouraged the Cactus League to write a letter voicing their desire for Spring Training to be pushed back a month, with the hope that the Players Association will get on board.
MLB, however, denied that they were invovled, revealing the two sides previously met to discuss concerns about starting Spring Training on time, via Alex Coffey of The Athletic:
Through an MLB spokesperson, the league issued a statement Tuesday morning: “It is categorically untrue that MLB requested the letter from the Cactus League. The author of the letter will confirm this fact. And, there was no need for such a request because officials from the Cactus League had publicly stated their desire for a delay prior to the meeting.
“In the meeting, MLB officials, consistent with our prior public statements, expressed a willingness to reevaluate our plan to open camps on time in light of the public health situation. Also consistent with our prior public statements, we acknowledged the need to work with the MLBPA which has opposed any delay.”
Despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country, the MLBPA has been adamant about Spring Training beginning as scheduled, with the expectation of playing a 162-game season.
Team owners likely are opposed to this without a guarantee that fans can attend games at the very start of the season, as they would lose revenue while having to pay players their full salaries.
This was one of the biggest issues last year, as MLB wanted to pay players less than the prorated salaries promised to them. While players ultimately got what they wanted, it came at a cost, as commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally imposed a shortened 60-game season.
MLBPA rejects MLB’s proposal for universal DH, expanded playoffs
MLB and the union haven’t agreed on much in recent years, and that has again carried over into the 2021 season. The Players Association recently rejected the league’s proposal for the universal DH returning because of the expanded postseason attached to it.
However, thereremains a possibility of both sides getting back together and reaching an agreement before Opening Day.
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