MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will suspend its Uniform Employee Contracts on May 1, enabling clubs to furlough employees or cut their pay during the COVID-19 shutdown.
This is according to a report by Ken Rosenthal, who noted that while teams will not be required to take these measures, it does provide clubs an opportunity to cut costs.
The employees who could be impacted by Manfred's decision include major and minor-league coaches, front office personnel and scouts. Teams will continue to pay health benefits to these employees through the duration of the shutdown. Teams and employees will also be allowed to discuss deferring pay instead once the UECs are suspended.
Manfred and other MLB senior staff will take a 35% pay cut for 2020, the league announced last week.
The shutdown has been particularly tough on scouts, as the league suspended all scouting operations -- including international, domestic, showcases and private meetings -- for a time to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. The league reopened remote scouting earlier this month after the players and teams ratified an agreement for the 2020 season, which included saving the amateur draft.
This year's draft will be held in July.
This decision will not impact stadium workers, who have been unable to work since games have been postponed. On Mar. 18, the Pirates and the other 29 clubs each committed $1 million to provide support to them.
The league is considering proposals to play games in Arizona or each team's spring facility in order to start the season sooner. If that happens, there is a chance no team -- besides perhaps the Diamondbacks, Rays or Marlins -- could play in their home stadium in 2020.
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