Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are still trying to salvage the 2020 season, and the league appears to have extended an olive branch to the union on Sunday.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to the MLBPA on Sunday offering to nix the expanded playoff field and universal DH for next season if a full season cannot be played in 2020. Players had been set to vote on Sunday on whether to accept a 60-game season, so the offer may be an attempt to sweeten the pot.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to MLBPA executive director Tony Clark today offering to cancel expanded playoffs and universal DH for 2021 if a full season isn’t played in 2020, sources tell ESPN. Players are concerned about giving up leverage of playoffs for naught.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 21, 2020
The proposed 2021 olive branch may be the last and best chance MLB and MLBPA have to strike a deal. Players had planned on voting today whether to accept a 60-game season or allow Manfred to impose a season of his desired length, sources tell me and @JesseRogersESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 21, 2020
Part of the latest proposal from MLB was for two years of expanded playoffs. Another stipulation was that players agree that they will not file a grievance against the league. Early indications have been that MLBPA leaders will shoot that down, as they believe the two years of expanded playoffs and grievance stipulation are worth more than a 60-game season with pro-rated salaries.
A number of changes could be in order for the shortened season in 2020. While neither side has shown a willingness to blink, MLB’s updated proposal on Sunday could be a step in the right direction.
