Conflicting Reports Surface About MLB, Players Association ‘Closing In’ On Agreement To Play 2020 Season
Jun 17, 2020, 12:59 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm
A view of the Opening Week logo on the field prior to the Texas Rangers taking on the Chicago Cubs during Opening Day at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association are “closing in on an agreement to play the 2020 season,” according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
According to the MLBPA, the “reports of an agreement are false.”
Reports of an agreement are false.
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 17, 2020
Major League Baseball postponed the start of the 2020 season in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, negotiations have taken place between the league and the Players Association about playing amid the pandemic, adjustments to salaries, and more. The talks have yet to result in a concrete agreement.
According to Heyman, baseball’s return is close. The deal between the two parties is “expected to be prorated pay and include expanded playoffs.”
Breaking: MLB and players union are closing in on an agreement to play the 2020 season, via players. Deal expected to be for prorated pay and include expanded playoffs.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020
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MLB reportedly sent the Players Association a new proposal on Wednesday, June 17.
According to baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, the league’s proposal included the following:
- 60 games over a 70 day period of time
- Season start date of July 19/20
- Full prorated salary
- An expanded postseason for two years
- Waiving of any potential greivance
Source: MLB proposal includes:
•60 games in 70 days
•Season starting July 19th/20th
•Full Prorated Salary
•Expanded Playoffs in 2020 and 2021
•Waiving of any potential grievance— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 17, 2020
On June 13, players told the league that additional talks to start the season during the pandemic were pointless and that the owners should order a return to work.
“It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile,” MLBPA executive Tony Clark said in a statement. “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”
Discussions between the two parties have included reducing the league’s 2020 schedule. Recently, the MLBPA proposed that the season be 50 games instead of the 82 games originally proposed by MLB.
Also on June 17, the Major League Baseball Players Trust announced that they will commit $1 million to help support minor league players who are unable to play this season due to the pandemic.
