Back on June 12th, the MLB proposed a 72 game season to the Players’ Association, and with the 72 games the players would receive 75 percent prorated salaries.
The players rejected this proposal almost immediately because it was basically something that they were proposed three times before. The owners have now offered the MLBPA four different proposals that would all equal the players receiving full prorated salaries over a 50 game season.
So, all of these proposals would give the players just about 33 percent of their salaries.
After rejecting the last proposal, the Players are done negotiating. All they want is for the owners to tell them when and where they need to be.
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
Although the Players and the owners did not come to an agreement, the players want to play. Things start looking up. The players will go to wherever they have to as long as the owners simply tell them when and where they have to be there.
Combine this with Rob Manfred’s statement on June 10th, and we could see baseball pretty soon.
Rob Manfred to @karlravechespn: "I'll tell you unequivocally: We will play Major League Baseball this year."
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 10, 2020
Five days later though, Rob Manfred walks right back over this statement.
BREAKING: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred tells @Espngreeny that he’s “not confident” there will be a 2020 baseball season. “Unfortunately," Manfred said, "I can’t tell you that I’m a 100% certain that’s gonna happen.”
News at @espn: https://t.co/h1I6Yh5R55
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 15, 2020
The players wanted a response from the owners by Monday telling them where and when they have to go. Instead, they see Rob Manfred telling the media that he does not know if there will be baseball played this year.
The players were upset by this, as they should be.
Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/ibyOqB93WC
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 15, 2020
Players have taken their grievances to Twitter, telling the fans that all they want to do is play and the MLB is simply not allowing it.
Tell us when and where!! https://t.co/zPMbehld1n
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) June 16, 2020
Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word…AGAIN. The fans do not deserve this. So I’ll say it one more time, tell us when and where.
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) June 16, 2020
Tell us when and where. WE ARE ALL READY. https://t.co/uw1QLVT7Zl
— Pete Alonso (@Pete_Alonso20) June 15, 2020
The fans are ready to watch us play, the world is ready to watch us play, the coaches are ready to coach, the players are ready to play and I’m ready to play. Put a time and a place; we will all be there. Let’s play ball!!!! #When&Where pic.twitter.com/0TPvRuPSw3
— Francisco Lindor (@Lindor12BC) June 15, 2020
The players were ready to take whatever season the owners and Manfred gave them. All they got was the commissioner saying he was not sure if there would be a season to play.
Now, this morning, Andy Martino reports that there are owners that do not even want a season.
Hearing that six owners that don't want a season. @Ken_Rosenthal reports 8 or more. Urgency for Manfred to corral his group before that number grows.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) June 16, 2020
This is now upsetting for everyone because the baseball world cannot handle a year without it. Fans will take any baseball they can get, and the players want to play no matter what.
The owners need to figure it out, because everyone loses if there’s no baseball season.
Anyway, here’s something all Yankees fans will like; Gerrit Cole passed by Yankee Stadium yesterday and threw a bullpen.
Baseball state of mind pic.twitter.com/oEvzA8fZyz
— Gerrit Cole (@GerritCole45) June 15, 2020
Always nice to end on a good note.
Featured Image: Gregory Bull/Associated Press