Jeff Passan of ESPN has just tweeted out that the MLBPA has sent a counter-proposal to MLB’s latest offer that was presented on Wednesday. The new proposal from the players focuses on the following:
- 70-Game Season
- $50 million in playoff bonuses
- 50/50 split of new postseason TV revenues in 2021
- Forgiveness of salary advance for Tier I-III players
- Universal DH
- Mutual waiver of grievance
Wednesday’s proposal from the owners preferred 60 games among other issues such as universal DH, full prorated salary, expanded playoffs and at least a $25 million postseason pool.
As of this writing, MLB has not responded to the proposal.
Hopes were heightened on Wednesday when commissioner Rob Manfred met with player representative Tony Clark one-on one in Arizona. The meeting was said to be productive and later in the day, Manfred said in a release:
“We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”
Talks continued late into the night on Wednesday, with some players cautioning baseball fans that what the owners offered was not a deal, but a proposal only. Many of the rank and file are clearly not in love with playing only 60 games. Hopefully the owners will settle on 70 or so and the proposed start date of either July 19 or July 20 can become a reality.
Passan, later on Thursday, tweeted this as a recap. The change is that postseason revenues are to be split:
The MLBPA’s proposal to MLB is for 70 games, sources tell ESPN, and includes a split of playoff revenues.
While the league is unlikely to accept this proposal, it’s close enough for optimism there will be a season — whether it’s via a deal or MLB setting a shorter schedule.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 18, 2020
Please stay tuned to MMO for full coverage of the negotiations.