MLBPA offers 70 games, split playoff revenue to MLB owners
The Major League Baseball Players Association has countered an offer made by MLB owners and increased the number of requested regular-season games amid the coronavirus pandemic from 60 to 70.
In the same week MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN's Mike Greenberg he was "not confident" there would be any season after negotiations between the two parties fell apart, owners submitted a proposal of 60 games with fully prorated pay on Wednesday.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the players would want more games to make up for salaries lost due to the shortened season, however, and that seems to be the case. On Thursday, Passan and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic both tweeted the players have asked for 70 games, a split of playoff revenues, and a universal designated hitter.
Passan adds he believes owners will reject this offer.
Anything other than 100% prorated pay appears to be off the table for the union, which continues to insist owners stick to a March 26 agreement that promised fully prorated salaries for a condensed season. Via that deal, Manfred has the right to schedule a campaign that includes around 48-54 regular-season games.
Players have demanded that Manfred and the league tell them "when and where" to report for Spring Training 2.0.
Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the owners and players could announce July 19 as Opening Day for the 2020 season if they put pen to paper on a deal by the end of this Friday.
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