MLB owners, commissioner set to implement a 2020 season

Major League Baseball has officially taken the first step to implementing a 2020 season.

Earlier today, the MLB Player’s Association voted against the most recent proposal given to them by the owners and Rob Manfred. Later in the night, MLB released a statement stating it plans to move forward with the season without an agreed upon framework. Manfred did not state how many games would be played during the season. Instead, the statement stated that players would need to tell the organization if they can be at camp by July 1 and if they agreed to an operating manual that sets health and safety protocols.

Because there was no agreement, MLB is taking the following things off the table:

• Universal DH for two years.
• A guaranteed $25 million in playoff pools in 2020 for the players.
• $33 million in forgiven salaries for ²⁄₃ of the players.
• Prorated earnings of 104%.
• Postseason expansion in 2021.

Initial rumors before the release came out stated that the season would be for 60 games. That’s in line with the last offer from the owners.

Another difficult reality for MLB to face is the fact that several players in multiple organizations have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The players have until 4 p.m. central tomorrow to tell MLB whether or not it agrees to the two stipulations mentioned above. If not, it’s hard not to believe that the best shot at a 2020 season may be gone.