MLBPA preparing to start spring training, season on time
Negotiations between MLB and the MLB Players Association for what became a pandemic-shortened 2020 season were lengthy, tense and involved players taking shots at the league via social media.
The baseball community may want to prepare for more of the same this winter and spring.
On Monday, Brahm Resnik of Phoenix television station KPNX reported that the Arizona Cactus League wants to delay the start of spring training, slated to open next month, because of COVID-19 issues and concerns:
The MLBPA responded to the story and made it clear that it is not budging:
Although we have not received any communication directly, the MLBPA is aware of a letter that has been distributed today by the Cactus League Association.
The letter states that after meeting with Major League Baseball, the Cactus League Association "believes it is wise" to delay the start of Spring Training in Arizona. The letter correctly notes that MLB does not have the ability to unilaterally make this decision.
While we, of course, share the goals of a safe Spring Training and regular season, MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for an on time start to Spring Training and the Regular Season and we continue to devote all our efforts to making sure that that takes place as safely as possible.
Also on Monday, multiple reports surfaced that the MLBPA rejected an MLB proposal for the upcoming campaign that included a universal designated hitter and expanded playoff field.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark noted that the union is not yet embracing the idea of another shortened season, and Ken Rosenthal added that pitchers and catchers remain scheduled to report for spring training in just three weeks.
League officials, however, are frustrated by what they perceive to be the union’s refusal to negotiate, and point to a separate discussion involving the designated hitter, expanded postseason and other matters as the latest example, in their view, of the union’s intransigence, Rosenthal wrote.
The union is sticking to its economic principles. But the players should be proactively pursuing a delay that would work for them. Their health is at stake.
Barring an unforeseen setback, the NFL is on track to become the first and, to date, only top-flight North American sports league to complete a full uninterrupted season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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