When it comes to the return of sports the NBA, NHL, and MLS are set to resume their seasons in July. The NFL is still planning on starting its season on time despite a warning from Dr. Anthony Fauci.
As far as MLB is concerned, the dance continues as MLB and the MLBPA try to reach a deal so there can be some kind of a season. On Wednesday MLB proposed a 60-game season with full prorated salaries. The MLBPA countered on Thursday with a 70-game season proposal.
The MLBPA’s proposal included a 70-game season from July 19 to Sept. 30, full prorated pay, expanded playoffs for this year, and next year, a 50/50 split of television revenue, and $10 million for social justice initiatives, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“We believe this offer represents the basis for an agreement on a resumption of play,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said when the counter proposal was announced.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has rejected the MLBPA’s proposal. He said that 70 games were impossible to have because of fears of a second wave of coronavirus and because they aren’t playing doubleheaders.
Manfred did tell Clark in phone convo last night that he could make a counterproposal but made clear that 70 games was “simply impossible” due to 2nd wave fears and health experts suggesting doubleheaders were inadvisable thanks to fear of players spending too much time together
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 18, 2020
Manfred met with Clark on Tuesday and afterward, Manfred said that both sides were on the same page and want to reach an agreement, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Commissioner Rob Manfred: "We’re at the same place. We want to play. We want to reach an agreement. …We're doing everything necessary to find a way to play, hopefully by agreement.''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 18, 2020
However, that wasn’t the case, according to Clark.
“In my discussions with Rob in Arizona, we explored a potential pro-rata framework, but I made clear repeatedly in that meeting and after it that there were a number of significant issues with what he proposed, in particular the number of games,” Clark said in a statement Thursday. “It is unequivocally false to suggest that any tentative agreement or other agreement was reached in that meeting”
By now fans are tired of the negotiations still going on and Manfred is too.
“This needs to be over,” Manfred said. “Until I speak with owners, I can’t give you a firm deadline.”
MLB’s main goal remains to reach agreement with players, but Manfred is continuing to talk with owners before deciding their next move. Time is short he acknowledged. “This needs to be over. Until I speak to owners I can’t give you a deadline.”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 18, 2020
While Manfred still wants to reach an agreement and to play, the reality is there likely won’t be baseball this year. Fans shouldn’t expect there to be a season because time is running out. It’s already mid-June and there could be a second wave of coronavirus in the fall.
Fans everywhere have pleaded with the league office to not screw this up. However, the owners continue to nickel and dime the players, sacrificing time baseball simply doesn’t have. Instead, fans now wait for the announcement the MLB season is canceled.
