MLB Reportedly Makes Offer to Players in Move That Could Get Deal Done for 2020 Season
By Michael Luciano
Just when it looked like the 2020 MLB season was going to go by the boards due to labor negotiations, the league has made a proposal to the players that looks, on the surface, like the fairest offer thus far.
According to ESPN's Karl Ravech, the MLB's proposal includes 75% prorated salaries, a 76-game season, a regular season that ends on September 27, and a postseason that doesn't spill into November.
MLB has made proposal to Players. 75 percent Prorated salary. 76 game season. Playoff pool money. No draft pick compensation for signing player. Season finishes September 27th. Post season ends at end of October. Significant move towards players demands and effort to play more.
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) June 8, 2020
This offer actually seems pretty reasonable. Salaries aren't fully prorated, but getting 75% of a prorated salary for less than 50% of a full season seems like a slight win for the players. And there's more!
MLB's new proposal also involves forgiving 20% of the advance from the March agreement and getting rid of the qualifying offer and draft-pick compensation for free agents this winter.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) June 8, 2020
Union estimates it would net players about $200 million more total than MLB's first proposal.
It seemed like the owners were trying to have as minimal a regular season as possible, as evidenced by their 50-game proposal that was not well-liked by fans and players alike. In this offer, the players play a meaty schedule and get a good chunk of the prorated money they desire, while the owners get a shortened season that leaps right into the money-making playoffs.
However, it doesn't seem like the players are going to make it easy.
The #MLBPA considers #MLB's latest offer a "step backwards''. They guaranteed 50% pay with possibility of earning 75% prorated salary. Also in proposal, per @karlravechespn, 76-game season, playoff money and no draft pick compensation for free agency.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 8, 2020
Perhaps one more counter can lead to a definitive middle ground.
This plan, while FAR from a sure thing as far as ratification goes, is a significant step in the right direction.