MLB has made a new economic proposal to the MLBPA, which entails players being paid 75% of prorated salaries for a 76-game regular season. However, a union source said that the new proposal is "worse than the league's previous proposal" because it includes the prospect of players receiving only 50% of prorated salaries if there is no postseason. The two sides have been at an impasse after MLB rejected the union's proposal of a 114-game season in which players receive prorated salaries. The league previously proposed an 82-game regular season in which players would be paid on a sliding scale of compensation, which the union rejected. The union has been adamant about players not taking a second pay cut because they believe the two sides agreed to prorated salaries in the March 26 agreement between the two sides.
BUILDING CONSENSUS AMONG OWNERS: MLB has been in the process of building consensus among owners for Commissioner Rob Manfred to mandate a regular season between 48-60 games in which players receive prorated salaries. MLB believes the March agreement gives Manfred the power to do so if players are paid prorated salaries. The league has been steadfast that the regular season cannot extend beyond September because of the risk that a second wave of coronavirus could wipe out a lucrative, expanded postseason that could generate in the ballpark of $1B for the league. The two sides had hoped to reach a deal by now in order to play a three-week spring training 2.0 and start the regular season around July 4. It may be difficult at this point to make that timetable a reality.
