MLBPA in a video conference yesterday delivered a proposal to MLB for a 114-game season to be played June 30-Oct. 31, a source said. The union's proposal adopts the compensation agreement the two sides made in March for players to get full prorated portions of their salaries, based on games played. MLB had more recently proposed an 82-game season with progressively higher salary cuts for players with higher salaries.
The players' proposal gives clubs relief in the case that the playoffs are canceled due to a second wave of the coronavirus or for any other reason. If that happens, players who were scheduled to make $10M or more in a normal year will have a portion deferred, with interest. Players also will be given relief if they decide not to play based on the risk of the pandemic. Players who are themselves or have immediate family members who are high-risk can choose not to play and receive full salary and service time. Players who do not have risk factors can choose not to play and still receive service time, but no salary.
The proposal also includes two years of expanded playoffs, which would include additional teams, and could provide additional revenue for owners and extra games for fans. The players proposed additional events that could be played in the offseason, such as an All-Star Game, Home Run Derby or made-for-TV events such as a celebrity golf match. They also proposed enhancements for the TV experience, including additional microphones on players.
