MLB, players’ union say deal to start season is close
Insiders say 65-game season could start July 19
Play ball.
Finally, if not yet definitively, Major League Baseball and its players association find themselves encouragingly close enough to a semblance of labour peace to facilitate an abbreviated 2020 season.
Following face-to-face meetings in Arizona between MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and players association chief Tony Clark, sources from both sides confirm a deal is near, thus hopefully ending an infuriating labour impasse.
While some details still need to be fine-tuned — a point of caution made by both sides on Wednesday — a workable framework is in place for a season to begin as early as July 19.
The caveat is that health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic don’t worsen in the interim. But the model being discussed includes a season in the 65-game range, though the league’s latest proposal leaked on Wednesday is at 60.
According to sources, the remainder of the MLB proposal includes a season beginning on July 19-20 with players getting a full pro-rated salary, thus eliminating a major stumbling block. As well, players will waive their right to a grievance over the terms of return to work.
The league proposal also includes expanded playoffs, both this season and in 2021, allowing owners to capitalize on post-season revenue. An expanded tournament of 16 teams (as has been discussed) would certainly add some short-term excitement to the abbreviated campaign and add unlikely contenders.
While the MLBPA issued a statement Wednesday afternoon warning a deal isn’t yet done, a release from Manfred created the most optimism since this mess began.
“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours (on Tuesday) in Phoenix,” Manfred said in a statement. “We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents.
“Consistent with our conversations, I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”
The schedule will be preceded by a “spring training” lasting about three weeks.
The season is expected to have three 10-team divisions based on geographical lines. The Toronto Blue Jays, for example, would be in a division comprised of AL and NL East teams.
Among the details to be sorted for the lone Canadian team is where the Jays will play. The team is still hopeful games can be played at the Rogers Centre, though the more viable options would include the team’s spring training home in Dunedin, Fla., Buffalo, or sharing a home with the Tampa Rays at Tropicana Field.