MLB rejects 114-game MLBPA proposal for 2020 season
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association still can't get on the same page regarding the start to the 2020 regular season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that, as expected, league owners rejected a union proposal for a 114-game season that included pro-rated salaries. The league will approach the players to discuss conducting games at ballparks behind closed doors and without spectators during a much shorter campaign:
ESPN's Jeff Passan added that owners ultimately could lower the number of regular-season contests to 50, while Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that owners want between 48 and 54 fixtures:
Earlier this week, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com reported the MLBPA campaigned for an 82-game season but could balk at any proposals that would cut a standard campaign by nearly two-thirds, if not more.
Sherman indicated fans should be concerned following Wednesday's update when he tweeted that people "on both sides" seem more pessimistic about a big-league season occurring in any form this summer:
In March, the owners and players agreed to a deal that included pro-rated salaries for a pandemic-shortened. The owners contend, though, that agreement was dependent on fans being welcomed to home ballparks around the country.
Both the NHL and Major League Soccer have confirmed plans to resume play, and the NBA is expected to announce its return policy sometime after a Thursday meeting.
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