MLB News and Notes: Players React to Owners’ Proposal

On Monday, the MLB owners approved their proposal to play the 2020 season. Now comes the hard part, when they have to submit those ideas to the Players’ Association and come to an agreement with the union. Let’s catch up on all of the latest happenings as it relates to playing the 2020 season.

All on Board

At least one part of the proposal from the owners is being OKed by the players. According to reports, the proposal of a universal DH during the 2020 season will be “easily approved by the players.”

The union has long tried to bring the DH to the National League to help create an extra job that pays a higher salary than a middle reliever. With interleague series being more frequent this season than in the past, a universal DH will become a necessity.

Teams could also have fewer off days than a typical season, which will also make a DH useful. This also opens the door for the possibility of the DH becoming universal permanently once the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the 2021 season.

Laughing Matter

Outside of agreeing on a universal DH, the owners and players have a lot of things to discuss. Some players have already made public comments dismissing the proposal.

Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer called the proposal “laughable” regarding the owners advocating for player salaries to be based on a 50/50 revenue split. The Players’ Association has already compared the revenue sharing idea to a salary cap, something the union says it will never do.

Even before the owners submitted their proposal to the players, the union appeared to dig in hard on its position that player salaries would not be renegotiated after the two sides agreed in March to a prorated salary based on the number of games played. As of Thursday morning, the owners have yet to formally propose the revenue split to the players.

Waiting on Health

Early in the virtual discussions between the owners and players, the owners have yet to outline their specific plan for keeping players, coaches, and staff healthy. Testing remains essential to MLB restarting the season, with many players expressing concern and skepticism about how the league plans to prevent an outbreak within clubhouses. In the coming days, the players expect to learn more about the league’s plans for travel, lodging, testing, and how MLB would react if a player tests positive for coronavirus.

Ready to Go

In regards to venues for the baseball season, the governors of Florida and Arizona have both said in recent days their states are ready for pro sports, albeit without fans in attendance. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis specifically addressed commissioners in saying that if some teams weren’t able to operate in their home venue that they should look for a place in Florida to operate.

Such a statement could be vital for California-based teams and the Toronto Blue Jays. With Canada quarantining any visitors for 14 days, it’s unrealistic for the Blue Jays to play in Toronto this season, meaning they will need to find a temporary home elsewhere.

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