Union rejects MLB’s latest proposal
In scathing letter, MLBPA president Clark says ‘further dialogue with the league would be futile’
Negotiations appear over between Major League Baseball and its players association, two sides so overcome by animus that an agreed-upon regular season of a substantial length feels impossible.
In a scathing statement Saturday that announced the union’s rejection of the league’s proposal for an 82-game season, union chief Tony Clark said “further dialogue with the league would be futile.”
“It’s time to get back to work,” Clark wrote. “Tell us where and when.”
The union’s rejection puts the onus on to commissioner Rob Manfred, who possesses authority to implement a shortened season of around 50 games in the absence of any agreement.
Clark’s statement seems to all but acknowledge this course of action — one neither side really wants, but might be forced to accept. According to ESPN, the union demanded Manfred inform players of his plans by Monday.
Astros players Lance McCullers Jr. and Martin Maldonado echoed Clark’s sentiments late Saturday, posting on social media to “just tell us when and where.”
Clark wrote the union’s focus since March has been “playing the fullest season possible, as soon as possible, as safely as possible.” The two sides have since been entangled in an ugly battle of public bickering over salary, a putrid look amid a global pandemic and skyrocketing unemployment.
“Players agreed to billions in monetary concessions,” Clark wrote. “In the face of repeated media leaks and misdirection we made additional proposals to inject new revenues into the industry — proposals that would benefit the owners, players, broadcast partners, and fans alike.”
An agreement between players and owners March 26 promised full prorated salaries if the 2020 season resumed. When it became apparent fans would not be allowed into stadiums, owners backed off that pledge, asking for further salary cuts to offset expected gate revenue losses.
Manfred guaranteed baseball’s return last week in two separate interviews, threatening to impose the truncated season if the owners and players union could not find common ground. The exact number of games is unknown — reports peg it anywhere from 48 to 54 games — but the length is wholly unsubstantial for a sport that normally plays a 162-game slate.
The proposal’s rejection Saturday was expected. Owners offered an 82-game season with 70 percent of prorated salaries. Players have reiterated numerous times they will not accept anything less than 100 percent prorated salaries, galvanizing around the issue with a collective bargaining agreement looming after the 2021 season.
“Our response has been consistent that such (salary) concessions are unwarranted, would be fundamentally unfair to players and that our sport deserves the fullest 2020 season possible,” Clark wrote.
News on Saturday of a new billion-dollar deal between the league and Turner Sports for postseason broadcast rights only inflamed the already existing animosity. Clark said in his statement the union requested that information from the league “weeks ago.” It was not provided.
“As a result,” Clark wrote, “it unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile.”
Added MLB: “We will evaluate the union’s refusal to adhere to the terms of the March agreement, and after consulting with ownership, determine the best course to bring baseball back to our fans.”