Rob Manfred NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Rob Manfred speaks at a news conference at MLB headquarters on November 22, 2011 in New York City. Commissioner Bud Selig announced a new five-year labor agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball rejected the Players Association’s proposal for a 114-game season, and it was reported that they won’t send a counterproposal. Joel Sherman of The New York Post added that he heard “greater pessimism [Wednesday] from folks on both sides about MLB launching a season than at any point,” and said that “people who previously thought the sides would find a way, now expressing at least greater doubt (often more than that).”

Well, the pessimism about the chances for a 2020 MLB season continues to only increase.

According to Bob Klapisch of the Newark Star-Ledger and Bleacher Report, “It’s going to take a miracle to save the season.”

A source told Klapisch that “things are really bad right now.”

The mood around the MLB negotiations is dark. Even the previously optimistic parties I check in with are losing hope. “Things are really bad right now.” It’s going to take a miracle to save the season.

The hope was that MLB could start a season in early July, but that particularly seems far-fetched right now, unless there’s a *quick* change in negotiations and plans. After all, a second spring training would be necessary for a few weeks, and it’s already June 5.

And now it seems that there’s a very good chance there won’t be an MLB season at all. The two sides have been very far apart in negotiations — players want full prorated pay for 80+ games, owners have reportedly been unwilling to do that for more than 50 or so games — and time is likely running out.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.