MLB, union inching closer to season
PHOENIX — Major League Baseball and the players union are making headway towards an agreement to play the 2020 season, with the players receiving their full prorated salaries, but the two sides continue to argue about the length of the season, two high-ranking executives with direct knowledge of the talks told USA TODAY Sports.
The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports only on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
While MLB and players were optimistic early Wednesday that a deal was close to being finalized — with a 60-game season that would begin July 19— the mood soured by nightfall with the union seeking a longer schedule.
The ML B PA, strongly disputed any agreement in principal was ever reached, and tweeted, “Reports of an agreement are false.''
The latest movement started Tuesday when Commissioner Rob Manfred flew to Phoenix f or a one- on- one meeting with union executive director Tony Clark. The talks ended with a handshake agreement on the framework of a deal, with each promising they would present the offer to each side. The owners and players each would have to formally approve any deal.
“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours (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. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today.
“Consistent with our conversations ( Tuesday), I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”
While team owners appear to be in favor of the 60-game season, paying full prorated salaries, several players and agents say the union is insisting the season be longer. The union requested an 89-game season in their last proposal. If the season begins July 19, there would be 71 days on the calendar until Sept. 27.
MLB has been adam ant about wanting to conclude the World Series by the end of October. The league fears a second wave of COVID-19 could prematurely end t he season, costing them about $900 million in TV revenue. In addition, the league says its national TV partners don't want postseason games played in November.
The two sides are expected to re- engage in discussions Thursday in hopes of reaching a deal by the weekend.
This was the first time MLB's owners agreed to pay full prorated salaries, a stance the union never wavered from during the negotiations. In return, the players consented
and players to reach an agreement, believing it was important that he met with Clark. It came on the heels of the union halting ne got iations on Saturday night, with Manfred saying he was no longer confident there would be a 2020 season.
“I think there' s real risk ,'' Manfred said on ESPN, “and as long as there' s no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue. ... The owners are a 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field. Unfortunately, I can' t tell you that I' ma100%c ertaint hat' s going to happen.''
Clark immediately responded in a statement, saying :“Players are disgusted t hat after Rob Manfred unequivocally told players and fans that there would `100%' be a 2020 season, he has decided togo back on his word andi snow threatening to cancel the entire season.
“This latest threat is just one more in di cati on that Major League Baseball has been negotiating in bad faith since the beginning. This has always been about extracting additional pay cuts from players and this is just another day and another bad faith tactic in their ongoing campaign.”
Once an agreement is officially reached, the players are expected to be given seven to 10 days to report to spring training, with most simply training in their own home cities. The spring training will last three weeks, with teams permitted to play three exhibition games.