Per multiple reports, MLB and the players have agreed to a deal that lays out how this season will proceed, if and when it actually proceeds.
We’ll have more details when the agreement is ratified by the owners tomorrow, but among the reported terms:
MLB also can shorten the 2021 draft to 20 rounds, and push back the 2021-22 international signing period to January 2022 through December 2022, per sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2020
(I note this one up front because it’s among the most drastic changes, and includes the possibility of a shrunken draft in 2021, as well. You’ll recall, the league has wanted to shrink the draft as part of its plan to reduce the volume of minor league teams. I don’t like it.)
Draft can’t be any later than late July. If MLB is up and running will try to hold it earlier.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 27, 2020
Money will be distributed between four tiers of players – those with guaranteed contracts and those in three different levels of split contracts between majors and minors. https://t.co/pJuCGphuzn
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2020
(Spread over the first two months suggests the league is still hoping it could possibly start the season in June. Doesn’t mean it will happen – no one can know yet – but that seems to be the hope.)
Along these lines, an important — if a bit wonky — point: Because the season will clearly be shorter, the arbitration rules will be adjusted so players are not penalized for putting up counting stats that don't stack up to past comparables. Made lots of sense to do it this way.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2020
No agreement yet on spring training or roster size. Service time worked out as previously reported: Full year of service for those who are active or on injured list for entirety of shortened season, regardless of length. Same service as that earned in ‘19 if season is canceled.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2020
If a season is played, players will get pro-rated service time. So if there were just a 90-game season, a player active the whole time would get a full year of service. If active for half the time, half a service year.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 27, 2020
Owners, in view of person on players’ side, protected their downside – yielding on service time and advancing players $170M in exchange for protection against prospect of estimated $4.5B payout to players in cancelled season. Players cannot sue for full salaries as part of deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2020