Report: Players to reject MLB's offer of 76-game season
The Major League Baseball players' association plans to reject the reported offer of a 76-game season and 75% prorated salaries, sources told Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic.
MLB's latest proposal - which the league reportedly characterized as its "best" offer - for a 2020 season was submitted to players Monday, along with a 48-hour window for the MLBPA to respond. It called for the season to begin around July 10 following a three-week spring training.
Under the plan, players would be guaranteed a total of $989 million in salary during the shortened season. That figure was below what MLB initially offered with an 82-game schedule and is part of why the union is against it, according to Rosenthal and Drellich.
The union is also upset at MLB's insistence that players sign an "acknowledgment of risk" waiver before playing, according to Rosenthal and Drellich. It reportedly views the waiver as a "deal-breaker" because it could take away players' legal rights if MLB doesn't create a safe playing environment.
However, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports the waiver in question is not related to legal claims; rather, it's consenting to be tested for COVID-19 and acknowledging the associated risks. The MLBPA will consider agreeing to it after viewing the waiver language, and it won't be a sticking point for the league, Heyman adds.
Players received Monday's offer with a mix of "laughter, anger, and more anger," according to SNY's Andy Martino.
There still appears to be optimism that the sides will reach a deal at some point. A league official told Rosenthal and Drellich that Monday's offer was "materially" better for players and showed MLB is willing to negotiate with the union to bridge the gap.
Negotiations between the league and its players reached a standstill in recent weeks. Players have been steadfast in their insistence on receiving their full prorated salaries in a shortened season with a longer schedule. The league, meanwhile, wants to end the season before November while cutting salaries further.