MLB players reject owners, want on-time start to season
Here we go again.
As Major League Baseball looks to plot out the season while still dealing with the uncertainties caused by COVID-19, owners and players are not on the same page.
Last year, the two sides were at a standoff after the pandemic struck with two weeks left in spring training.
An agreement finally was reached in late June and MLB played a shortened 60-game season with expanded playoffs, a universal designated hitter and other changes.
Late last week, owners presented the players' union a plan that called for delaying the start of spring training by one month before playing 154 games this season.
The offer includes players being paid for a regular 162-game season. At first glance, that looks like a good deal for both sides.
The MLB Players Association, however, rejected the proposal Monday night.
"The MLBPA executive board and player leadership reviewed and discussed the owners' proposal throughout the weekend and today," the MLBPA said in a statement. "The clear-cut result of these deliberations is that players will not accept MLB's proposal, will instead continue preparations for an on-time start to the 2021 season and will accept MLB's commitment to again direct its clubs to prepare for an on-time start."
Getting paid for a full 162-game season appeared to be a major hurdle cleared after player salaries were slashed 63% in 2020. But there were no guarantees from the owners and the union was wary about MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred having the authority to halt the season at any point.
The MLBPA also is against playoff expansion, which went from 10 to 16 teams last year. That would be reduced to 14 teams this season, but players are concerned salaries would stagnate moving forward with more teams qualifying for the postseason.
In exchange for accepting expanded playoffs, owners have offered to continue the universal designated hitter, which debuted to positive reviews in 2020.
Spring training could start on time in mid-February, but Cactus League officials wrote a letter to Manfred in late January asking for camp openings to be delayed by one month due to the high COVID-19 infection rate in Arizona. Players are ready to press forward.
"We do not make this decision lightly," the MLBPA said. "Players know firsthand the efforts that were required to complete the abbreviated 2020 season, and we appreciate that significant challenges lie ahead. We look forward to promptly finalizing enhanced health and safety protocols that will help players and clubs meet these challenges."