Bryce Harper and Major League Baseball could be back in action starting July 19. Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY

Report: MLB targeting July 19 for new Opening Day

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/17/20

Major League Baseball owners and the MLB Players Association can announce an Opening Day of July 19 if they can agree to terms for the start of the 2020 season by the end of Friday.

Wednesday afternoon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the two sides "are moving towards" signing off on a deal that would include 60 regular-season games with fully prorated salaries.

ESPN's Buster Olney touched upon the 60-game proposal earlier in the day.

Under this deal, MLB would expand the postseason to 16 clubs, eight from each league. Nightengale added the players wouldn't oppose a larger playoff tournament, and they could report for resumed spring training sessions on or around June 29 and plan to play meaningful baseball on July 19.

While many teams will conduct preparations at their home ballparks, MLB insider Jon Heyman previously reported the New York Mets and New York Yankees may send personnel to Florida.

ESPN's Jeff Passan believes the MLBPA may still ask for additional regular-season fixtures before Friday:

Worth noting: MLB’s last offer to the players maxed out at $1.5 billion. The money over a 60-game season at full pro rata: $1.5 billion.

If there’s a deal to be done, it is going to be for more than 60 games. Union will counter higher. And somewhere in the middle is the season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 17, 2020

Throughout negotiations, the players have insisted they receive 100-percent prorated salaries regardless of the season's length per a March 26 deal agreed by the owners.

After the players rejected a proposal of 72-games that included pay equal to 50 games at the fully prorated rate, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN's Mike Greenberg on Monday he was "not confident" a deal would get done.

"I’m very encouraged now," one player reportedly told Nightengale on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, The Athletic's Jayson Stark teased that July 15 could be Opening Day for the 2020 campaign.

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