NEWSLETTER
I update you this evening because I am duty bound to do so. But I’ll tell you up front: I have no optimism about an agreement, I have barely any optimism about a season at all, and I am as low as I’ve been throughout this process. So I’m just gonna lay out what’s what and then go play LEGOs with The Little Boy.
Given the timeline for this process, it’s fair to say that, even if you believe the regular season *has* to end before October, and even if you believe the recent spikes in COVID-19 across various states *require* a rethinking of the schedule, then the owners got their way on a shorter season by dragging things out in April, May, and early June.
That’s because the league’s position, which might now be tenable, is that it is no longer possible to have a 70-game season, and anything over 60 might not be possible either:
So at this point the sheer math of the calendar says it’s no longer possible to play 70 games without extending the season into October and postseason into November, which MLB has been adamant it will not do. https://t.co/WyRXq8k600
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 21, 2020
The sides might still be talking, though:
MLB players are delaying the vote a bit today as MLB is suggesting it’s willing to make a couple changes in light of recent Covid cases. Sides are in contact and situation is fluid. Players are concerned that if this year is canceled owners end up reaping the benefits in ‘21.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 21, 2020
MLB is trying to offer up at least some additional incentives to get the players to agree to the 60-game offer, but it’s not clear that the owners are negotiating on any of the other financial terms (i.e., playoff compensation, forgiveness of March advances, etc.):
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to MLBPA executive director Tony Clark today offering to cancel expanded playoffs and universal DH for 2021 if a full season isn’t played in 2020, sources tell ESPN. Players are concerned about giving up leverage of playoffs for naught.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 21, 2020
The proposed 2021 olive branch may be the last and best chance MLB and MLBPA have to strike a deal. Players had planned on voting today whether to accept a 60-game season or allow Manfred to impose a season of his desired length, sources tell me and @JesseRogersESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 21, 2020
Players previously had signed off on Manfred having right to terminate 2020 season at any point after consulting with medical experts and union. But they later raised concerns that if season was shortened they would be giving away 2021 postseason and getting too little in return. https://t.co/pu8Wb1kXRx
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 21, 2020
For now, no one knows what comes next, and I’m sure as heck not expecting anything good:
Players cut union meeting short after Clark received letter from Manfred, sources tell me and @JaysonSt. Unclear whether things will progress from here.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 21, 2020
