The only question was whether the players would present a new counteroffer, because we already knew they would be rejecting yesterday’s offer from the owners of about 83% prorated pay over a 72-game season *IF* the postseason were successfully completed (70% pay if not).
The answer is: no counter. Instead, the players are saying just tell us how many games there will be, and let’s go. It’s the worst possible outcome short of cancelling the season because of money.
Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/d1p3Oj4K70
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 13, 2020
The Major League Baseball Players Association has rejected MLB's latest proposal and will not counter, sources tell ESPN. In a letter to the league, the union asked MLB to inform it of how many games it intends to play and when players should report.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020
From MLBPA letter: "We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday, June 15."
This isn't to suggest Monday will be the end of this and we'll know what sort of baseball season there will be, but the players are asking for a season and asking by Monday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020
If this does indeed result in no further discussions and the league unilaterally imposes the farcically short season it has seemed to want for a long time (48-ish games), it will come with no other concessions from the players (no expanded playoffs, no player participation in extras), the kind of player hostility that leads to a terrible grievance and a future work stoppage, and the kind of fan antipathy that lasts for years.
Every bit of goodwill the sport could have created in this terrible summer? Gone.
This could have been avoided weeks ago when the players’ position was clear, and about $10 more million dollars lost per team would have resulted in a fully-prorated 70+ game schedule. And an agreement on expanded playoffs. And positivity. And an earlier return. And more games. And more long-term value for the sport.
I’ll digest later when more, inevitably comes out. For now, I’m too disgusted to thoughtfully elaborate.