The truncated 2020 Major League Baseball season is slated to get going a week from Thursday. This comes after a major split between the league and players amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
While the season will more than likely take place, there’s growing concern over the 2021 campaign. One longtime owner is now sounding the alarm over the possibility of a work stoppage next season.
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is concerned about the 2021 season, telling Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
“I’m very worried about next year. I don’t know how much money we are going to lose. There are just so many unknowns. When we had the long layoffs in ’81 and ’94 [with baseball’s work stoppages], we had some idea it was going to end. And once it ended, we would be back to normal. We not only don’t when this will end, but when will normal come back?’’
Honestly, there’s every reason to be concerned. The current collective bargaining agreement expires following the 2021 season. There’s no reason to believe that a strike or lockout isn’t in the cards given the financial split between MLB and its players.
The two sides failed to come to terms on an agreement to play a relatively normal 2020 season before commissioner Rob Manfred forced players back to the diamond for a 60-game season. In and of itself, that has to be seen as cause for concern.
The 60-game 2020 season will start on July 23 with a doubleheader pitting the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals against the New York Yankees before the Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants.
While there’s been some major concern given the current nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the belief is that the season will in fact start on time. Whether it’s completed remains to be seen.
The backdrop here is obviously a rift between MLB and the players. It’s something to keep an eye on moving forward.
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