MLB players reject proposal; Rob Manfred implements 60-game season

After the MLB Players Association executive board rejected an MLB proposal Monday afternoon by a 33-5 vote, commissioner Rob Manfred was forced to implement a 60-game season.

The vote ended weeks of negotiations between baseball’s owners and the union. The standoff stalled the start of the season after the sport shut down March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. USA Today reported the season could start the weekend of July 24-26.

“Needless to say, we are disappointed by this development,” MLB said in a statement. “The framework provided an opportunity for MLB and its players to work together to confront the difficulties and challenges presented by the pandemic.”

The league said it would use the March 26 agreement it made with the union, provided players report to their respective training camps by July 1 and if the union agrees on health and safety protocols in the operating manual.

MLB statement: pic.twitter.com/Jz3rSTvXuU

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 23, 2020

That statement came in response to the MLBPA vote and the union’s announcement on Twitter that it anticipates “finalizing a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols with Major League Baseball in the coming days, and we await word from the league on the resumption of spring training camps and a proposed 2020 schedule.”

The MLBPA statement reads, “While we hoped to reach a revised back to work agreement with the league, the Players remain fully committed to proceeding under our current agreement and getting back on the field for the fans, for the game, and for each other.”

The Major League Baseball Players Association today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/1OnFBsoEjd

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 22, 2020

By rejecting the proposal, the players retained their right to file a grievance against the owners. Prominent players like Cincinnati Reds All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer have accused Manfred of using stall tactics in negotiations to force a shortened season upon the players to limit their earnings, which would be about $1.5 billion.

A sticking point for the players throughout was the demand of being paid their full prorated salaries, agreed upon in late March. But there were other issues at stake, from the salary guarantee if games aren’t played to the amount of money the players make in the playoff pool to how opt-out measures for players who live with someone considered “high risk,” such as a pregnant spouse, will affect their prorated pay and service time.

There also are rule changes at play, with proposed expanded playoffs from 10 to 16 teams, a universal designated hitter in 2020 and ’21 and whether to implement ideas to speed up extra-inning games.

Confirming Jim’s report. Also: MLB unwilling to provide additional funds for players in either 2020 or 21 playoff pool. MLB proposal was to forgive $33M of $170M advance, only for players on split contracts. Both sides also can agree to eliminate DH/expanded playoffs for ‘21 now. https://t.co/G6KvKRBRiZ

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 22, 2020

Health and safety protocols also are a concern, especially after 40 players and staff members tested positive for covid-19 last week at spring training sites in Florida. MLB wants the regular season to end by Sept. 27 so it can finish the playoffs by the end of October.

USA Today reported Manfred told MLBPA executive director Tony Clark training camps could start no earlier than June 29, which would push the start of the season from a proposed July 19 to July 26.

Not saying one side is right or wrong here or voicing my opinion. Simply explaining what happened. When players said “when and where” it was in reference to proposals @mlb had made that were deemed to be dead on arrival. By saying when and where, players asked Rob manfred to

— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 22, 2020

“Not saying one side is right or wrong here or voicing my opinion. Simply explaining what happened,” Bauer tweeted Monday night in response to the vote. “When players said ‘when and where’ it was in reference to proposals MLB had made that were deemed to be dead on arrival. By saying when and where, players asked Rob Manfred to implement a season due to the (belief) that any further proposals would simply be wasting time. Instead of implementing a season, MLB made another proposal. So, neither side is really right or wrong here. This is just a separate conversation. Hope that clears some things up!”