The New York Yankees fans and all the fans of the “boys of summer” are beginning to wonder if the two sides in the negotiations will ever come together in time for an MLB season. The MLBPA (players union) accepted a proposal to accept a 50% pay cut for an 82 game season back in March. In further negotiations after the coronavirus caused the shutdown to last beyond the original delay and owners found out the games would be held with no fans in the stands, they have constantly wanted the players to share in the loss over the original agreement.
The back and forth has gone on for several weeks with no progress. The owners want less regular-season games to cut their losses. The players want more games to increase their pay. The players have cited the risk involved playing during the coronavirus pandemic. MLB has bent over backward to address health concerns. They presented a 67-page health initiative addressing everything from how many can be in the dugout to the players having to shower in hotels. The plan also covered the extensive daily testing all team personnel would undergo.
The health plan was mostly accepted by the union with more refinements to be made before play resumes. That leaves money as the stumbling block. Recently the players demanded a 114 game season. The owners rejected that and came back with a threat- like 40 game season with players having to take massive cuts in pay, as much as a 75% reduction for the highest-paid players.
The players then wanted an 89 game season while earning the full pro-rata pay. Constantly the players have rejected all the owner’s attempts to get them to share in losses. Today the owners are making an olive branch offer for 70-75 games with players receiving 80% of their pro-rata salaries. The plan also calls for an expanded postseason. MLB also outlined the elimination of direct draft-pick compensation for free agents tagged with qualifying offers; teams losing top free agents would get a compensatory draft pick, but those signing such free agents would not be penalized by having to give up a top pick.
Also in the proposal is that the players will get a share of the playoff pool in the postseason. This new proposal being presented today according to ESPN’s Karl Ravecho is the third such offer this week. All back and forth, while baseball fans just want to watch some baseball. But time is quickly running out to have a viable season. If an agreement acceptable to both sides can’t be reached, Commission Rob Manfred will most likely impose a season of a certain number of games starting on a certain date. At that point, the players can accept it and move on to getting spring training 2.0 going, or they can reject it and go on strike. Could we see 1994 all over again?
With the present situation in the country, the virus, the unemployment, and the unrest caused by racial injustice and police use of force, it’s a very different situation than that of 1994. The country needs sports now for a diversion more than ever before. Both MLB and MLBPA needs to think about the fans and reputation of the game. Damage has already been done; no season will not be soon forgiven.