While the NBA and NHL are on the verge of returning after a three-month break due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Major League Baseball still has a ton of issues that need to be sorted out before potentially beginning its 2020 regular season.
While it was recently reported that MLB and the Players Association were more or less in agreement on the health and safety side of things, disagreements remain on the financial aspect.
As it currently stands, the MLBPA remains committed to players receiving their full prorated salaries in 2020, which the owners are willing to do but only if the season is around 50 to 60 games. The players proposed for as many as 114 regular-season games, and neither side seems to be moving off their demands.
In a report based on the league’s formal rejection that was obtained by Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic, MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem stated six issues that the league took with MLBPA’s latest proposal that led to them not even sending a counter:
In explaining the league’s formal rejection of the union’s proposal for a season of 114 games, Halem cited six areas in a three-page letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic: The calendar, the number of regular-season games, the end date of the regular season, deferral of player salaries, postseason risk and player opt-outs.
Despite all the friction that exists, Halem also wrote that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred remains committed to getting a season in, and it was recently reported that both sides are still optimistic they will be able to come to an agreement.
The clock is ticking though as the original hope was for Opening Day on July 4, which no longer seems to be a possibility with the need for Spring Training 2.0 to allow players enough time to be game-ready.
Manfred has the ability to decide how long the 2020 season will be without the approval of the union, so he may ultimately need to step in and make an executive decision if the two sides are unable to come to an agreement. If that happens, there likely would be a short, 50- or 60-game schedule with an expanded postseason.
Whatever the case is, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be ready to go whenever they are allowed to return to play as they pursue their first World Series championship since 1988 with perhaps their most talented roster ever.
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