MLS Just Embarrassed MLB by Coming to Agreement Following Nasty Battle

Negotiations between MLB owners and players hit yet another snag in their protracted negotiations on Wednesday when it was reported that the former denied (and won't counter) the latter's request to play a 114-game season in 2020.

As fans grow continuously doubtful that the 2020 campaign will be realized, it's time for the MLB to take a page out of the MLS' playbook. On Wednesday, the American-based soccer league announced the finalization of a revised collective bargaining agreement that will not only pave the way for labor harmony through 2025, but also a return to the pitch this summer.

The agreement allows the MLS to carry out its plan to hold a tournament in Orlando that will feature all 26 clubs.

We never thought it would come to this, but MLB seriously needs to follow MLS' lead from this point forward. As countless insiders have regurgitated across the last 72 hours, this week is crucial in determining if there will be baseball in 2020. Just a few days ago, negotiations between owners and the MLS players' union were so bleak that it seemed destined for a lockout.

Facing the threat of a lockout and the loss of income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the league imposed a 12 p.m. ET deadline on Wednesday to reach a compromise. The MLB enforcing a deadline would (hopefully) serve as the motivation needed for both sides to reach an agreement.

The fact that Major League Soccer, an afterthought in terms of large scale popularity and annual revenue compared to the other major sports, was able to put aside its differences with the players so that the 2020 season can resume should give fans hope that MLB can do the same.

If it doesn't, well, we really don't have to tell you how poorly that would reflect on the sport.