Should MLB mandate a shortened season, the union is expected to oppose an expanded postseasonGETTY IMAGES
It is increasingly likely that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will unilaterally mandate a truncated regular season in the vicinity of 50 games after the MLBPA this weekend rejected MLB’s latest counter-proposal and effectively halted negotiations. Manfred has the power to do so based on the March 26 agreement between the two sides, if MLB pays players full prorated salaries. While this was once viewed as a last resort, the two sides remain at an impasse over a return-to-play economic structure. A source said MLB has been building consensus among owners about mandating a shortened season. Should such a move take place, the union is expected to oppose an expanded postseason, which would include as many as 16 teams (up from 10) and generate nearly $1B in TV revenue for the league. Not playing an expanded postseason could deny the league more than $200M in revenue. If a shortened season is imposed, the union also is likely to file a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in lost wages for players, claiming that the league did not make a "good faith effort" to work to play as many games as possible (Eric Prisbell, THE DAILY). The MLBPA in a letter to the league wrote, "We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday, June 15" (TWITTER.com, 6/13).
AT WITS' END: THE ATHLETIC's Rosenthal & Drellich wrote the MLBPA effectively "walked away from the negotiating table Saturday night, marking a potential turning point in an ugly stalemate that has produced more rhetoric than movement" (THEATHLETIC.com. 6/13). In N.Y., Joel Sherman wrote players "basically have told MLB let’s cut to the end game." MLB in a statement Saturday night said that it was "weighing what to do next." If MLB imposes a season, the union "will almost certainly counter by not agreeing to any additional perks that the league seeks" (N.Y. POST, 6/14). In Boston, Sean McAdam writes the MLBPA "got tired of the charade." On Saturday, they "essentially said: 'This is what you've wanted all along. Now, kindly give us the details'" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 6/14).
MLB'S RESPONSE: In Boston, Michael Silverman wrote the MLBPA "displayed profound frustration" in rejecting the owners' latest proposal, "saying that their stances 'have fallen upon deaf ears.'" The league on Saturday night in response "issued a rejoinder that displayed as much tension and ill will as Clark’s statement, which is saying something." MLB expressed its disappointment that “the MLBPA has chosen not to negotiate in good faith over resumption of play." Owners in their third formal proposal on Friday attached an "excoriating letter" from MLB Chief Negotiator Dan Halem to MLBA Chief Negotiator Bruce Meyer. Halem in the letter used "biting sarcasm to call into question the union’s dedication to bargaining in good faith" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/14).
ROCK & A HARD PLACE: On Long Island, David Lennon writes Manfred and the 30 MLB owners are in a "tough spot right now." Lennon: "Do they really want to gut this season to a bare minimum of 48 games, as Manfred threatened, and use it as a financial weapon against the players?" Clark "dared them to Saturday night when he called Manfred’s bluff." By staying unified, the union "empowered Clark to go all-in despite the risk of leaving hundreds of millions on the table without a deal." That "boxed in the owners, who now are left with nothing but bad choices when it comes to their bottom line" (NEWSDAY, 6/15). In N.Y., Ken Davidoff writes Manfred "could honor" the MLBPA's demand for MLB to set a schedule today by "following through on his threat to implement a season in the tiny 50-game range." He also "could defy his counterparts and attempt to extend an olive branch in the hopes of collectively bargaining a solution." Or he "could blow the deadline and see how the PA reacts" (N.Y. POST, 6/15).
LOOKING AHEAD: In Boston, Peter Abraham writes as baseball tries to fashion a season, it "should want to get the World Series done before Nov. 1." So much attention will be on the Nov. 3 presidential election, the games "will be an afterthought." Baseball also "would run the risk of games being played in cities where violence could break out after the election" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/14). In Philadelphia, Scott Lauber wrote it is time to "bring on the mini-season." However, it "won’t be one that anyone can get particularly excited about" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/14). In Minneapolis, La Velle Neal writes, “A 50-game season doesn’t seem like a real season" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/15).
COMPLETE MESS: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale wrote there are "perhaps plenty of players who may simply decide to sit out the season and rejoin their teams for spring training next season." One MLB owner said of the negotiations, “Ugly. And it’s going to get worse" (USA TODAY, 6/13). In Pittsburgh, Paul Zeise wrote even if MLB does play baseball in '20, to "far too many people, it won’t matter." Zeise: "Many fans have moved from optimistic to angry to disgust and apathy" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/14).
