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MLB commissioner Rob Manfred holds the power in talks with the players. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

MLB Commish: '100 percent' there will be a season; play must end by November

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/10/20

As Major League Baseball owners and the MLB Players Association continue to lob proposals back and forth on starting the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, commissioner Rob Manfred is promising fans they will see baseball this summer.

The players likely won't be thrilled with Manfred's final call unless they and the owners work things out, perhaps as quickly as this week.

As noted by Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Manfred spoke about the current state of negotiations during a Wednesday appearance on MLB Network.

After multiple dependable outlets reported the owners will reject an offer from the union for an 89-game season with a full prorated share of salaries and a postseason that includes eight clubs per league, Manfred said he's hopeful owners will soon submit a plan that includes some form of prorated pay:

Rob Manfred on MLB Network: Owners will make a proposal "in the players' direction" shortly. Still hopes players will "get off the 100% salary demand."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 10, 2020

Manfred echoed concerns voiced throughout the spring about a second virus wave impacting the sport in the fall, and he also said that November baseball isn't possible due to media-rights deals:

Manfred says November baseball won't happen because MLB medical experts warn of second wave of pandemic; and promises to TV partners for October postseason.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 10, 2020

Manfred: "We're going to play baseball in 2020, 100 percent."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 10, 2020

With the two parties still at odds and November baseball off the table, Manfred has the option of enforcing a March agreement between the players and owners that allows him to dictate the length of the campaign and provide players with prorated salaries.

While speaking on ESPN's "Get Up" on Friday morning, MLB insider Jeff Passan said the union has to play ball, per that deal, even for a regular season that lasts between 48 and 54 games, but they technically won't have to do much else:

"Remember that MLB has the option of unilaterally implementing a schedule. Rob Manfred can come and say 'we're gonna play 48 games this year whether you guys like it or not' per the March agreement that they have.

"Now, the players can say 'you're not gonna have expanded playoffs. You're not gonna have mic'd-up players. You're not gonna have any help from us with your business ventures going forward.' But I would like to believe that there is a place in the middle where they can meet, where they can get a representative schedule. Because 48 games just simply doesn't cut it."

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