It’s now been over a week since the MLB players union began negotiations with the league, and things seem to be at a standstill. We haven’t learned much new information since the first day of talks. With an early July start in mind, time is ticking to get a deal done.
For the season to start in early July, you would need a second spring training to begin in early to mid-June. That feels like a long ways away, but here we are now almost at Memorial Day. If a deal isn’t done soon, the proposed start dates of the season could be pushed back, and the league could be back to the drawing boards.
From what we have heard from players like Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell, the holdup is the money agreement. Owners want to pay the players little to no money when players already agreed on prorated salaries. The owners don’t want to lose money, even if it’s just one season.
Will they lose some money? Absolutely. Will they make it back within a few years? Absolutely. The goal is to have fans in the stands by 2021, and maybe late 2020 if a rapid treatment or vaccine is approved.
Also, you have to have a deal done in enough time to allow for players to report to camp, especially foreign players. With travel restrictions still in place, it will be harder for players to re-enter the country if they left the country to go home.
If everyone wants the MLB to start in July, time is ticking to get a deal done and get the season underway.