NEWSLETTER
With the interim deal between MLB and the players ratified today, we now have a better sense on more of the particulars about how things are going to look going forward. We learned last night most of the big stuff, including how service time and player compensation will be handled.
Although there is still not a timeline in place, I know that we’re all primarily focused on any part of the deal that hints at a possible return for baseball. On that front, while the sides are committed to playing, they aren’t going to do it unless it is absolutely safe:
* The caveat agreed to by the players and league is that they will consider playing games at neutral sites instead of home ballparks — and will consider the feasibility of playing in empty stadiums and just how proper a solution it may be for both sides and especially fans.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2020
Against that backdrop, it’s very hard to see the season beginning with fans any time even remotely soon, as I glean that most experts expect mass gathering bans to remain in place for quite a while. Even when lock-down/quarantine measures are lifted, you still might see mass gathering bans remain in place – maybe even until there are clear treatments for the novel coronavirus or a vaccine. The latter could take a year.
In other words, if the league and players really do want to get in as many games as they can this year – if any at all – there will indeed have to be plenty of consideration given to playing in empty stadiums, so long as it can be safe for the players. Crowd-less games on TV sure seems like a better solution than no season at all, but I think most fans are biased …
Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich add that players will have final say on the schedule this year, so MLB cannot unilaterally impose a particular plan, though the agreement explicitly provides that the regular season may extend through October, and the postseason may be expanded and shifted to neutral sites.
Anyway, more details from the deal on the draft side:
This deal is going to be rough for potential draftees…Draft could be 5 rounds, could be 10. But hard, hard limit of $20K for anyone undrafted. No more using bonus pools excess to pay a NDFA. If you don't get drafted, you either sign for very little or don't sign. https://t.co/HO5V20qcRQ
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) March 27, 2020
– MLB may run a combine for amateur players in 2020 and 2021
– The same bonus rules apply to 2021 draft
– Drug suspensions will be served in 2020, but if there is no season, they won't carry over to 2021— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2020
Rosenthal and Drellich add that bonus slots will stay at 2019 levels for the next two years, and eye-popping concession by the players at the expense of amateurs. The sides have used this crisis as an opportunity to agree to dramatically reduce the inflow of talent into the sport AND make it less attractive to sign up. We’ll have more on the draft implications later – and what it means for the likely future reduction in minor league teams – because right now I’m just really disappointed at what looks to be a really short-sited way to save a relatively small amount of cash.
