PRO BASEBALL MAY RETURN BY MID-JULY …OR NOT
''The lack of sportsball has been a defining feature of the societal disruption caused by CCPvirus. On one hand the disappearance of a key component of bread+circuses has helped normies break out of their routine and in some cases, do the reading and discussing that leads to awakening from their mental slumber. On the other hand, the lack of baseball has left Americans without one of their important cultural creations and has deprived families of opportunities to enjoy time together at the ballpark. The suspension of pro baseball has for the most part gone together with a cessation in youth baseball activities, with important implications for physical fitness and the building of fundamental baseball skills by future college & pro players.
Many expect that Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, is looking for a polite way to cancel the season. The easiest way for him to do this would be to say that player safety can't be assured due to x number of players coming back with positive CCPvirus tests. Then again, pressure from team owners and maybe even the WH could encourage Manfred to allow a shortened baseball season to be played from mid- or late-July until late October.
If pro baseball is played at all this year, it will probably be to empty stadiums for the sole enjoyment of TV audiences.''
“JUNE 21: The players will actually vote on MLB’s proposal on Sunday instead of waiting until next week, Nightengale tweets.
JUNE 20, 4:55: The union will hold off several days on voting, which was originally supposed to take place on Sunday, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Instead, players will spend some time review health and safety protocols after teams have shut down their regular spring training sites due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Arizona and Florida. Expect an update on the players’ votes at some point in the next week.
JUNE 20, 1:54: According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the MLB Players Association is set to vote this weekend on MLB’s latest proposal for a 2020 season, which consists of a 60-game season with full pro rata pay, as well as expanded playoffs and a universal DH through 2021, among other things. As part of that proposal, the players would also waive their right to seek additional compensation through a grievance.
If the players opt to reject the owners’ proposal, expect to see commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally mandate a schedule, a last resort that the league has kept in its back pocket throughout negotiations but which brings with it the possibility of a grievance action from the union. That said, Manfred could opt to forego that action and instead choose to cancel the season altogether, though it seems like that isn’t the preference of most owners.
This weekend’s vote will be held by 38 players—one representative from each team, as well as an executive committee of eight players. Those team representatives have no doubt maintained contact with teammates and will have a pulse on their feelings towards the proposal.”
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/mlbpa-to-vote-on-mlbs-60-game-proposal-this-weekend.html