According to reports, on Sunday, the MLB Players Association made its counter-proposal to team owners.
Evan Drellich outlines the major components as follows:
- A 114-game season starting on June 30 and ending on October 31 with the postseason to follow.
- Expanded playoffs in 2020 and 2021.
- $100 million in deferred money if the postseason is cancelled for pre-prorated contracts above $10 million. Payments (with interest) would occur in November 2021 and 2022.
- An opt-out for players who do not wish to play due to health concerns for themselves or family members.
- A $100 million salary advance for players. (Read Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich’s full report here.)
Jeff Passan clarifies that of those choosing to opt out, those players who are considered “high risk” would receive their salaries while those who are not high risk would receive a year of service time. (Read Passan’s article here.)
According to Joel Sherman, “Union proposal also agrees to provide minimum player commitments on broadcast enhancements such as wearing mics and programming away from the ballpark.” Sherman also says that the players would be open to additional revenue generators (e.g., home run derby, All Star Game). (You can read Kevin Davidoff and Joel Sherman’s article here.)
Before you get too optimistic, read this Jon Heyman tweet:
“Non starter,” is the way one ownership person responded to the players’ response. The good news; There’s probably still a week to figure this out.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 1, 2020
While there is much here the owners will dislike—notably, the players have not relented on their demand for the full amount of their prorated salaries—the counter-proposal provides a starting point for additional discussions. If a season is to begin on June 30, both sides will have to reach agreement soon.
Purple Row will continue to monitor this developing story.