Update: 2:45 p.m.
Commissioner Rob Manfred shared a statement on the new proposals:
Manfred statement… pic.twitter.com/Z2NgD95F9T
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 17, 2020
Update: 2:18 p.m.
New details are coming out about the proposals now being discussed by Major League Baseball and its union, in what has finally become a face-to-face negotiating process to make a 2020 MLB season happen.
FOX Sports and the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says an MLB season would begin before the NBA would start, with a proposed 60-game campaign.
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
Jon Heyman, who first shared details about the face-to-face negotiations, said a key element to the deal is no seeking of legal grievances by the players.
As part of the pending agreement to play the 2020 season between MLB and the players union, the union has agreed to waive any grievance.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020
Heyman’s original report said the two sides were “closing in on a deal.” Other reports say the deal isn’t as imminent, but there are positive signs.
Source says no deal is close yet between MLB and MLBPA beccause the proposal was just sent by MLB. No agreement even in principle at this point.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) June 17, 2020
There is not even a deal in principle between MLB/PA, but 1 involved person said with Manfred/Clark meeting face to face the rhetoric portion of the program is over, and the real negotiations have begun.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 17, 2020
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
Stay tuned.
Original story: 1:34 p.m.
Major League Baseball and its players union are apparently near a deal to start the 2020 season that was first delayed by coronavirus, and in recent weeks by labor disputes.
Per Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
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
This follows a meeting between Commissioner Rob Manfred and the head of the MLB Players Association.
Breaking: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and players union chief Tony Clark had what’s being called a productive meeting face to face in Arizona. Meeting was called at Manfred’s request
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020
MLB and the MLBPA had been far apart on the salary structure for players, with the union demanding fully pro-rated salaries for the number of games played.
Owners had been unwilling to pay those fully pro-rated salaries, citing lost revenue from games without fans in order to curtail the spread of coronavirus.