Major League Baseball plans to submit another counterproposal to the Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday according to Karl Ravech of ESPN.
Ravech noted that the proposal is expected to include a season of around 70 games, a prorated salary percentage of 80-85 percent for the players and playoff pool bonuses. Jon Heyman of MLB Network specified that the proposal will be for exactly 72 games and that the percentage of prorated pay will be in the event that there is a postseason. However, if there is no postseason, the percentage will still be significantly higher than the 50 percent previously proposed.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today notes that the counterproposal for 72 games has a deadline of Sunday night. Nightengale also reports under this deal the regular season would start on July 14 and the postseason on September 27.
The MLBPA has been adamant about the players receiving full prorated salaries so MLB’s latest proposal is likely nothing more than the two sides inching closer in negotiations.
Heyman also noted that the two sides likely have about five days to strike a deal before MLB uses the authority they received in the two sides’ March agreement to mandate a shorter season.
