The start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season is just around the corner, although it remains unclear what format and terms it will be played under.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred guaranteed that a season will take place even though the league and MLB Players Association continue to be apart on their financial negotiations.
The owners’ latest offer includes a 72-game regular season with players making 80% of their prorated salaries and the ability to earn some more if an expanded postseason is able to be fully completed.
That offer is not a whole lot different than the other three they’ve made and is still not near the full prorated salaries for an 89-game season the MLBPA recently proposed.
Judging by the players’ reaction on social media, it is unlikely that they agree to this latest proposal. The owners have set a Sunday night deadline for them to do so though, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports:
The deadline for an agreement to play 72 games is Sunday night.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 12, 2020
The longer back-and-forth continues, the further the season will be pushed back, which means fewer games will be played since postseason dates are essentially set in stone due to TV agreements and the concern for a second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Because of that, Manfred may need to step in and make the decision on his own, which likely would anger players as he seems set on a shorter, 50-game season to appease the owners.
Regardless of what the decision is, it seems that the negotiating will end and players will be headed out for Spring Training 2.0 in the coming weeks. Opening Day could then take place as soon as July 14.
If the two sides are unable to come to an agreement, that could lead to more issues down the road with the CBA set to end at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
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