Report: MLB transaction freeze expected, union to help compensate players
The Major League Baseball Players Association sent a memo to agents on Monday that outlines how roster transactions and player payments will be handled in the coming days amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
A transaction and signing freeze is expected in the "very near future," which would be lifted when camps restart. The MLBPA reportedly wants to protect players with March opt-out clauses that have been effectively nullified.
Meanwhile, the union is planning to pay up to $1,100 per week until April 9 to cover the cost of living allowances for players who return home or to the club's home city, according to Rosenthal. This sum reportedly applies to anybody who was on a 40-man roster as of March 13 and to certain non-roster invitees.
However, NRIs who weren't on MLB rosters to end the 2019 season won't be eligible for payments from the union, Rosenthal added.
Two examples of players who are ineligible: #SFGiants’ Darin Ruf (in majors from 2012 to ‘16, and #Marlins’ Ryan Lavarnway (‘11 to ‘15, ‘17 to ‘19). Non-40-man minor leaguers not in union, but at least some teams continuing to give them per diem they normally receive in camp.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2020
The MLBPA and the league are also talking about several other issues: conditions for the resumption of play, amended scheduling, player salaries, service time, contracts and transactions, core economics, amateur signings, and potential adjustments for collectively bargained dates and deadlines, Rosenthal wrote.
Camps were suspended immediately on Friday as a result of the pandemic, and teams were then advised to cease group workouts at spring and home facilities.