MLB Has Reportedly Made Zero Progress Since Owners' Last Terrible Offer and Something Has to Give Soon
By Michael Luciano
Tony Clark and the MLBPA have been steadfast in their desire for prorated salaries in an abbreviated 2020 season, and the owners' unwillingness to meet them in the middle could cast doubt over a potential season this year.
According to Jon Heyman, the lack of a counter proposal from the MLBPA following the owners' original ridiculous revenue proposal makes it clear there is no realistic hope of agreeing on a deal for the 2020 season before the unofficial June 1 deadline. Heyman still thinks that a deal might get done sometime between June 5 and June 9, but...he may be in the minority there.
No evidence of progress yet in MLB/ players talk so no realistic hope to meet the “soft” deadline of tomorrow June 1 for deal. That deadline was soft for a reason, and hope remains to start season July 4 weekend — if a deal can be done by range of June 5-June 9.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 31, 2020
Under the owners' latest proposal, an MLB player like Gerrit Cole would see only $7.8 million of his $36 million salary, half of the $17.7 million he would have seen if the owners maintained their agreement for prorated salaries in an 82-game season.
Because some greedy owners care only about the bottom line and nether their team nor their fans, there is a possibility some owners choose toss the 2020 season to the wind, as they think that paying players in an abbreviated season without attendees will cost them more money than not playing.
Our @NYDNSports back page: In current dispute, neither baseball owners or players are going to get what they want. They must figure it out for sake of country, or it could kill the National Pastime forever. @DeeshaThosar @MLB @MLB_PLAYERS @Mets @Yankees -- https://t.co/olJL5aiIhK pic.twitter.com/4b772qVFEv
— Tom Biersdorfer (@TomBiersdorfer) May 31, 2020
There is still plenty of time for one or both sides to make concessions, but Heyman's latest update means that not having a season in 2020 is entirely possible, unfortunately.