MLB owners vote to proceed with season

Clubs unanimous about moving forward with schedule, between 50 to 60 games

Even though months of haggling ended in an impasse Monday, Major League Baseball apparently will play ball this year.

After the players union executive board reportedly voted 33-5 against team owners’ offer of a 60-game schedule, Major League Baseball announced that the clubs voted unanimously “to proceed with the 2020 season.”

The implemented schedule will be for 60 games, according to multiple media reports, though ESPN stated that it could be anywhere from 50 to 60 games.

There had been concern that a minority faction of owners wanted to cancel the season completely, with players’ salaries possibly outweighing the income that could be generated by holding games with empty stadiums amid the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB’s statement read, “In order to produce a schedule with a specific number of games, we are asking that the Players Association provide to us by 5 p.m. (ET today) with two pieces of information. The first is whether players will be able to report to camp within seven days (by July 1). The second is whether the Players Association will agree on the Operating Manual which contains the health and safety protocols necessary to give us the best opportunity to conduct and complete our regular season and Postseason.”

Earlier, the MLB Players Association tweeted a statement that read, “Earlier this evening, the full Board reaffirmed the players’ eagerness to return to work as soon and as safely as possible. To that end we anticipate finalizing a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols with Major League Baseball in the coming days, and we await word from the league on the resumption of spring training camps and a proposed 2020 schedule.

“While we had hoped to reach a revised back to work agreement with the league, the Players remain fully committed to proceeding under our current agreement and getting back on the field for the fans, for the game, and for each other.”

By rejecting MLB’s latest proposal, the union preserves its right to file a grievance over the length and financial terms of the season, maintaining owners didn’t negotiate in good faith. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has made the same accusation regarding the MLBPA’s negotiation strategy.