MLB and Players Union Reportedly Closing in on Agreement…. or Maybe Not?
According to MLB Network Insider, Jon Heyman, the Major League Baseball owners and the players union are finally closing in on an agreement. This is coming after a very ugly and publicized feud between the two sides.
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
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
Not so fast…
It looked like Commissioner Rob Manfred may have finally pulled his head out of his ass, after back tracking on his own comments earlier this week. Manfred recently said he is 100% sure there will be a MLB season, only to say he can’t guarantee that a few days later.
Not so fast…. because as other baseball insiders are coming to the Twitter machine, reports are conflicting on where conversations actually are. Jon Heyman’s report from above is being disputed by ESPN and The Athletic reporters, alike.
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
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
There is no agreement between MLB and the MLBPA. MLB knows players must get full pro rata. League wants players to waive right to grieve. Expanded playoffs a part of this. Number of games is vital. Other issues, too. There is work to be done. But a pathway to a deal does exist.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 17, 2020
What we know for sure:
Rob Manfred reportedly called a meeting with players union chief Tony Clark Wednesday morning. Apparently, Manfred was sick of being bullied by the the media, players and his owners.
In order for an deal to consumate, the MLB players will have to drop any legal grievances they are threatening and the owners will have to offer the players full prorated salaries for any amount of games that will be played.
Breaking: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and players union chief Tony Clark had whatโs being called a productive meeting face to face in Arizona. Meeting was called at Manfredโs request
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020
All of this news is coming just a day after multiple MLB players posted tweets saying “tell us when and where”, implying that they are sick of this publicized argument and ready to finally play ball.
Players were telling owners that negotiations were done. Tell us where to play and we will be there….. but they were also going to bring legal action at the same time.
It looks like it worked because the owners seem here to “play ball”.
We will be here to update you, when we know something more definite. We are closer to playing baseball in 2020… we do know that much. It has been a roller coaster the past couple weeks and hopefully it’s time to put that behind us so we can watch the Twins win their third World Series…. but who knows, at this point.
Reports of an agreement are false.
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 17, 2020
This … is promising. pic.twitter.com/paSkycRZuQ
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 17, 2020
Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan
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