The negotiations between Major League Baseball and the Players Association on a 2020 season have gone absolutely nowhere in recent weeks. MLB’s latest season proposal was quickly met with disappointment (but some laughter too) by the MLBPA, and the union officially rejected the proposal on Saturday and will not send a counterproposal.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, MLBPA wrote in a letter to MLB, “If it is your intention to unilaterally impose a season, we again request that you inform us and our members of how many games you intend to play and when and where players should report. It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point.”
The players reportedly would like an answer on the season by Monday.
The Major League Baseball Players Association has rejected MLB's latest proposal and will not counter, sources tell ESPN. In a letter to the league, the union asked MLB to inform it of how many games it intends to play and when players should report.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020
From MLBPA letter: "If it is your intention to unilaterally impose a season, we again request that you inform us and our members of how many games you intend to play and when and where players should report. It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point."
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020
From MLBPA letter: "We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday, June 15."
This isn't to suggest Monday will be the end of this and we'll know what sort of baseball season there will be, but the players are asking for a season and asking by Monday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020
Additionally, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark (pictured above) said in a statement, “As a result, it unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile. It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”
Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/d1p3Oj4K70
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 13, 2020
So, the players grew sick and tired of these motionless negotiations, and it’s now expected that MLB and commissioner Rob Manfred will unilaterally impose a season of around 50 games (likely 48), with players receiving full prorated salaries.
Sure sounds like the next step will be for the league to exercise its right to impose a season of 50-odd games. Union not countering most recent proposal. League still could make another offer. https://t.co/utwSYIfbER
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 13, 2020
Tony Clark's statement is a cut to the chase moment — said union is done negotiating back and forth essentially. Challenged MLB that if it is going to implement a season, just let the players know where and when. So no counter coming to last MLB proposal.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 13, 2020
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon tweeted, “The league/owners have consistently tried to turn this pandemic into a CBA negotiation. Lets shut that down. Players have wanted to play the entire time and have been working their tails off to stay ready. It’s time to play ball. It’s what our fans deserve.”
https://twitter.com/JTaillon19/status/1271954565659791360
Even if there’s Major League Baseball in 2020, the owners and Manfred will come out of this situation looking very bad, and the relationship between the players and league/owners is sure to remain rough for a while.
Coming grievance: MLB arguing players didn't negotiate in good faith over salary, MLBPA arguing owners didn't negotiate in good faith over length of season.
And then comes the start of talks for a new CBA, between negotiators who spent the last two days torching one another.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 14, 2020
I’d say this sums it up succinctly. These two sides have two years of nonstop fighting ahead. Good times. https://t.co/I0O0ZEVK0N
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 14, 2020
It's just disheartening to think that the owners are probably celebrating believing that a 48-GAME SEASON is a massive win. It's only a win for them, nobody else. Especially when the players tried to negotiate for 114 games less than a month ago.
— Joe (@JoeRiveraSays) June 13, 2020
The average age of MLB fans is 57. That’s up from 50 in 2000. A good way to slowly kill baseball is to make sure young people either can’t watch or don’t care. MLB does both exceptionally.
— Jason Foster (@ByJasonFoster) June 14, 2020
Oh, and the owners and players haven’t even reached final agreement on health and safety protocols, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. That’s kind of a big deal during a pandemic.
I'm told owners and players have not reached final agreement on health and safety protocols.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 14, 2020
Update- MLB released this statement on Saturday night:
Major League Baseball has issued a statement in response to the MLB Players Association asking the league to set a schedule for the 2020 season rather that continue discussions on a return-to-play scenario. pic.twitter.com/a27ODsmplQ
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 14, 2020
