Great stuff tonight over at The Athletic if you’re following the conversations about the launch of the 2020 MLB season, such as it might happen.
Here’s the read, which sets up what’s coming this week:
MLB plans to offer alternative proposal to players on salaries. Players mulling possibility of deferrals. Some agents advocate trade-off of pay reductions for financial protection this offseason. Story with @EvanDrellich: https://t.co/uotQWfWizg
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 25, 2020
You have to read the piece for the full context, but I’m very pleased to see another report indicating that ownership is willing to back off the straight revenue share plan, which never seemed like the most fair fit for the players from a risk perspective. If there is to be any further concession by the players at all, the most you could realistically argue for is a percentage pay cut (like other employees in organizations have taken).
At the same time, I’m very pleased to see that the players are apparently considering what they might be able to get in the form of future value in exchange for agreeing to further reduce their salaries this year. Specifically, there could be things put in place to ensure that this offseason doesn’t absolutely crush free agency and arbitration. No, a comprehensive deal that puts a plan into place this year AND fundamentally shapes the coming CBA is not plausible with the time afforded, but remember, the 2021 season is the final year of the current CBA. It is far less implausible that the sides could come together on a deal this week that covers 2020 and 2021. Indeed, it might be in everyone’s best interests to do so if possible.
Stay tuned. The economic proposal will reportedly be presented to the players on Tuesday.