Spring training will begin in early mid-June and games will resume in early July at ballparks without fans, provided that state legislation and health officials allow it, reports say.
To proceed with this unprecedented season, all proposed ideas should be agreed upon by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). An MLB spokesman told CNN on Monday evening that the league plans to present a proposal to the players’ association on Tuesday. MLB did not provide details on the proposal.
The league and team leadership reportedly met on Monday for the weekly meeting to discuss plans to return to the field and the safety and economic conditions that should be met to do so.
A March deal outlined key financial terms relating to how many players would be paid in a short season.
Under the terms of the agreement, MLB players received an advance of $ 170 million. In exchange for this advance, the MLBPA agreed not to contest the loss of their wages for 2020 if the season were to be canceled and to accept split wages if a partial season were played.
An extract from this agreement, provided to CNN, indicates that if MLB games cannot be staged in the home stadiums of the teams in front of the spectators, the MLB and MLBPA agree to hold discussions in good faith on the economic viability of the games. in the absence of spectators or on neutral sites.
MLB’s position is that such discussions could include requiring players to get further wage reductions.
“The players recently reached an agreement with Major League Baseball that outlines economic terms for the resumption of the game, which included significant wage adjustments and a number of other compromises,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement.
“That negotiation has ended. We are now focused on discussing ways to get back on the pitch in conditions that privilege the health and well-being of the players and their families, coaches, referees, team staff and fans.”
Kevin Dotson of CNN contributed to this report.
Coffee enthusiast. Travel scholar. Infuriatingly humble zombie fanatic. Thinker. Professional twitter evangelist.
