Players counter with 70-game season, 10 more than MLB
NEW YORK — Baseball players proposed a 70-game regularseason schedule Thursday, leaving them and management 10 games and about $275 million (U.S.) apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed MLB season.
As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major-league history. After commissioner Rob Manfred met with players’ association head Tony Clark in Arizona, MLB said Wednesday there was a framework for the season, but the union said only that there was no agreement. That proposal included a 60game regular-season schedule that would have $1.48 billion in salaries plus a $25-million players’ post-season pool, people familiar with that proposal told The Associated Press.
The union proposal would have $1.73 billion in salaries, plus a $50-million post-season pool, people with knowledge of that plan said.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcements of the details were made.
Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management.
Players said pitchers and catchers should report for the resumption of spring training on June 26, followed two days later by position players.
Both sides would expand use of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams, and both sides would expand the playoffs to 16 teams this year.