Report: MLB, MLBPA trying to reach last-minute deal on season

Monday appears to be a key day in MLB’s efforts to stage a season with a deal in place from players.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the league and the players’ union are engaged in last-minute negotiations to try to forge a deal ahead of a scheduled 5 p.m. vote by the MLBPA. If no agreement is reached, the vote on the original MLB proposal is set to fail, and commissioner Rob Manfred will likely mandate a schedule.

Everything appears to be coming to a head today: #MLB and the #MLBPA are trying to see if they can reach a last-minute agreement on a 60-game season this afternoon or Commissioner Rob Manfred will implement a 54-60 game season.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 22, 2020

The union had been disappointed by the length of the 60 game proposal, while owners saw it not as a proposal but as a conclusion to negotiations. Subsequently, players have essentially been told by the league that the 70-game schedule they seek is simply not feasible.

Whatever the case, it seems clarity is finally coming on baseball season after weeks of contentious and acrimonious back and forth. That should be a relief for all involved.