After the MLB Players Association rejected a proposal for a 60-game season on Monday afternoon, MLB owners voted unanimously on Monday evening to impose a 60-game season that will begin around July 24.
Now that the length of the season has been set, a power that’s afforded to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred per an agreement the two sides reached back in March, the league needs players to sign off on a health-and-safety protocol and to agree to report to home stadiums by July 1 for a second round of “spring” training. MLB has asked the union to respond by 5 p.m. today and ESPN reports the response will be positive and the season will take place.
The deal the MLBPA turned down included expanding the playoffs, widening use of the designated hitter to National League games, ancillary salary bumps as well as the union giving up its right to file a grievance. By balking at the deal, the MLBPA retains the ability to file that grievance.
“Needless to say, we are disappointed by this development,” MLB said in a statement after the deal was not accepted. “The framework provided an opportunity for MLB and its players to work together to confront the difficulties and challenges presented by the pandemic. It gave our fans the chance to see an exciting new postseason format. And, it offered players significant benefits.
The MLBPA released the following statement after rejecting MLB’s proposal on Monday night by a 33-5 vote.
The Major League Baseball Players Association today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/1OnFBsoEjd
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 22, 2020
As for the season, it will end on September 27, feature a normal 10-team playoff field and players will receive their full pro-rated salaries to take part in it, about 37 percent of what they would have been paid under normal circumstances.
Now that they are done bickering with each other, players and owners will have to turn their attention to battling a common enemy in COVID-19.
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