MLB Owners Approve Return Plan to Present to Players' Union
Major League Baseball's owners have approved a plan that would lead to the league restarting by July 4. Now all attention turns to the MLB Players Association, as the union must agree to the terms before the league can move forward.
MLB owners have approved a proposal for the 2020 season to present to the players’ union, source tells The Athletic. Meeting expected between union and league tomorrow.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2020
Some of the details of the play have already leaked out. The season would be 82 games, be played in major league ballparks without fans, and have a universal designated hitter:
Amid coronavirus pandemic, #MLB owners will vote on historic revenue-sharing plan that guarantees at least 48% to players on 82-game season with universal DH and extra playoff round. https://t.co/xs3g6LbJP6
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 11, 2020
The owners are also offering to do a 50-50 revenue split with players:
The #MLB proposal that was agreed upon among the owners and submitted to the union now calls for a 50-50 revenue split. https://t.co/iG7fd7PN4k
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 11, 2020
Rosters would also be expanded to account for the lack of a long spring training:
MLB is suggesting rosters expand to 30 to account for a shorter spring and arms not as ready as usual, plus a taxi squad of perhaps up to 20 more to account for no minor leagues, which seems extremely likely.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 11, 2020
That seems like a great deal for the players if they're willing to brave the health and safety concerns and get back on the field. But they will have to factor in the risk involved with agreeing to move forward. A number of players have underlying health issues and may not be able to participate safely.
There is also the likelihood of some serious financial disagreements between the players and owners:
The financial battle will be a big one. Owners seek a revenue sharing plan. Players always have been opposed to such a plan and the union is saying no way will they agree to that. The good news: they have some time to figure it out, and both sides have big incentive to play.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 11, 2020
The union has a lot to think about as it weighs the pros and cons of opening the league back up. I'd assume the players association will demand readily available testing and a limitation of how many people could access the players and clubhouses. They'll likely need a number of other assurances before even thinking about giving the green light.
We'll see what the players decide. It certainly won't be an easy debate given the circumstances.