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Per Jon Heyman and other sources, the MLB and MLBPA are “close” to an agreement to begin the 2020 MLB Season.
REMEMBER: This is all alleged, and information obtained via National Reporters, not from MLB or the MLBPA themselves.
Here’s what we know thus far:
It all began, as it usually does, with a weird Jon Heyman tweet:
Breaking: MLB and players union are closing in on an agreement to play the 2020 season, via players. Deal expected to be for prorated pay and include expanded playoffs.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020
Apparently, Commissioner Rob Manfred, and the head of the MLBPA, Tony Clark, met in person in Arizona recently to discuss terms, as MLB Owners were worried that the players would file a back-breaking grievance.
And this baby’s got momentum:
It probably should be assumed if Manfred flew to meet with Clark that he was authorized by his bosses (the owners) to deliver an offer that was either acceptable or pretty darn close to it. Even the most pessimistic folks I am texting with right now say momentum is toward a deal.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 17, 2020
We also found out that MLB had made a new proposal to the MLBPA based upon Manfred and Clark’s recent discussion:
Major League Baseball has sent a new proposal to the MLB Players Association, sources tell ESPN. No deal is done, but with Rob Manfred and Tony Clark having met, this is seen as significant progress considering where the parties were 48 hours ago.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 17, 2020
That said, the deal ain’t done yet:
Reports of an agreement are false.
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 17, 2020
Here’s what the apparent proposal looks like:
Source: MLB proposal includes:
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 17, 2020
•60 games in 70 days
•Season starting July 19th/20th
•Full Prorated Salary
•Expanded Playoffs in 2020 and 2021
•Waiving of any potential grievance
We’ll keep you updated as we get more information...