Major League Baseball told the players association Friday that they will not agree to any proposal that plays more than 60 games, and it does not seem likely that the union will accept that offer.
"MLB has informed the association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games," the MLBPA released in a statement Friday. "Out executive board will convene in the near future to determine next steps. Importantly, players remain committed to getting back to work as soon as possible."
According to a report by Bob Nightengale, that vote will likely not happen for "several days," though, as they will spend time gathering information for safety and health protocols in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Florida and Arizona, prompting MLB to shut down all spring training facilities.
Jon Heyman reports that the union executive subcommittee's rejection of MLB's plan may be close to unanimous.
Commissioner Rob Manfred still has the power to mandate a season under the March agreement, so the union seems to be leaning towards allowing Manfred to do that and then filing a grievance against the league for negotiating in bad faith. By failing to reach a deal, the season will be shorter -- possibly 48 or 50 games -- and many of the other changes both sides agreed to, like expanded playoffs, a universal designated hitter and advertisements on uniforms, would not be implemented.
Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark met privately in Arizona this week. Manfred left the meeting saying the two sides had a framework for a 60-game season. Clark denied that, saying Manfred welcomed a counterproposal. The union sent a counterproposal for a 70-game season Thursday, which drew ire from Manfred and owners.
The league finally agreed to pay players full prorated salaries for 2020 in its 60-game proposal. The difference between a 60- and 70-game season is players receiving either 37% or 43.2% of their original salaries.
While the number of games is the greatest remaining roadblock in negotiations, the two sides also are apart on other financial matters. The most pressing pertains to a $170 million advance on salaries players received per their March agreement. The league offered to forgive $33 million of that total, while the union wanted it all forgiven.
Owners also offered to pay players $25 million in postseason money. The players asked for $50 million in 2020, and a 50-50 split for 2021.
All told, between the extra games, playoffs and the forgiveness on the advance, the two sides were about $300 million apart in their last two proposals.
The union does not have much time to accept an offer for a 60-game season, and with each passing day, 70 games seem more and more unlikely. Both proposals had the season starting July 19, meaning spring training would have to resume no later than June 28. Owners do not want the season to extend into November, fearing another wave of COVID-19 could jeopardize the postseason.
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