MLBPA

MLB agrees to expand postseason

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In a last second deal, the MLB and the MLBPA have agree to expand the 2020 postseason from 10 to 16 teams. This was something that was heavily discussed during original negotiations, but was later shelved. Now it’s in place and it all came about in the final 24 hours before the season began.

The expansion to 16 teams adds a NBA or NFL playoffs type feel to it. It will have the two leagues on separate sides of the bracket with the one seed playing the eight seed, the two seed playing the seven seed, and so on. But, the first round will be just a best-of-three series with all games being played at the site of the higher seed. From there, it will be the traditional five game division series, and seven game championship series and World Series.

The top two teams from each of the six divisions will qualify for the postseason. Two wild card spots will be available in each league for the top two teams that didn’t finish in the top two of their division.

The postseason expansion adds eight new series and generates a lot more revenue. ESPN will reportedly call seven of the eight new series on their networks, with TBS carrying the other. TBS and FOX will have their normal coverage in the following series.

For the circumstances of this season, I think that the postseason expansion is a great idea. But, once we are back to a normal season, I’m not sure that this is something that should be continued. More revenue is great, but it takes away a lot in the fact of having to have a great season to qualify for the postseason. The concept is too rewarding for mediocre teams, and therefore shouldn’t be continued in the future.

New York Yankees: Zack Britton says that safety drove MLB – MLBPA negotiations, not money

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New York Yankees, Zack Britton

For months, MLB and the players association couldn’t agree on the terms that would allow fans to enjoy baseball. A series of events happened and Commissioner Rob Manfred had to trigger his right to mandate a season, which ended up being 60 games despite players actively looking for more. New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton appeared on WFAN on Friday (link to the NJ.com note here ) and voiced that players are still frustrated after how things unfolded.

“I know he said he was taken out of context. But it that was the plan (to play 60 games all along), that’s frustrating,” Britton said. “We wanted to play, and we wanted to play as many games as we could, understanding the environment that we were in. It just kind of added fuel to the fire for some players.”

“There wasn’t a lot of progress throughout the whole ordeal, and it took three months to finally agree to the agreement we already agreed to in March,” Britton also stated.

Commissioner Manfred said that players wouldn’t get more than 60 games on The Dan Patrick Show- After taking some heat, he then clarified that he meant the timeline for the schedule never would have allowed MLB to make that happen.

“The reality is we weren’t going to play more than 60 games no matter how the negotiations with the players went, or any other factor,” Manfred told Patrick. “Sixty games is outside the envelope given the realities of the virus. I think this is the one thing that we come back to every single day, we’re trying to manage something that has proven to be unpredictable and unmanageable.”

The Yankees’ reliever was confident on a deal

Despite the hostile nature of negotiations between the two parties, the Yankees reliever was always confident that a deal would be struck.

The lefty, who is part of the New York Yankees’ deadly bullpen, said that players were more concerned about safety than schedule and money.

“Being a part of the talks, I always felt like we were going to play, it was just a matter of when and how much,” Britton said. “Honestly, I think the biggest question among the players was about testing; not just how we were going to keep players tested and healthy, but staff and everyone in the clubhouse. Our biggest concern was keeping everyone involved as safe as possible. I think a lot of teams still have those questions, but the Yankees have been outstanding. I feel like we’re going to go above and beyond protocols to make sure everyone in our organization is safe.”

MLB: Players gave up millions for the right to sue; will it work?

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On Monday evening, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) voted to reject the latest owners’ offer of 60 games and full prorated salary, a guaranteed $25 million in playoff pools in 2020, $33 million in forgiven salary advances that would increase the take home pay of 61% of Major League players, and the universal DH for two years.

They turned that down to retain the right to sue MLB owners for not acting in “good faith” during negotiations. And they may have a case.

MLB Network Jon Heyman said the MLBPA believes it can win $900,000 to $1 billion in an unfair labor practice grievance against owners, who have been accused of “stalling to assure a shorter return-to-play season.”

However, former MLB player and current MLB Network host Harold Reynolds thinks that the players won’t win a hypothetical grievance.

“The grievance, they’re going to lose. That’s just the way I see it,” he said, on the basis of the fact that players demanded full prorated salaries and eventually were offered that last week.

“Any judge is going to say (Manfred) acted in good faith,” Reynolds predicted in his analysis. “He met you where you wanted to be met at. I think you’re talking about filing a grievance on something that’s very dicey.”

What will MLB players do?

And the fact that Commissioner Rob Manfred mandated a 60-game season may work in the owners’ favor.

“I think that they feel they have a chance with the grievance,” Heyman said on MLB Tonight. “I’m not a lawyer. I’m not sure that they do. We only have time for 60 games. But I hear that the union believes the grievance is up to $1 billion. Thirty-five (more) games or so would be $900,000. They feel it was perhaps stalled by 35 games. I’m not sure that the likelihood that they win that grievance.”

The season is expected to begin on July 24, with players reporting to camp on July 1st. That is if players approve health and safety protocols.

MLB Breaking News: Commissioner Manfred imposes 60 game season to start July 24th

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MLB announced Monday night that commissioner Rob Manfred intends to impose a season on the players, following the owners voting unanimously for that option. MLB’s statement also put forth two directives to the union, with a request for an answer by 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Those matters pertained to the players’ ability to report to camp within a week (by July 1) and the ratification of a safety and testing protocol.

The league’s decision came after the MLB Players Association voted to reject Major League Baseball’s proposal for a 2020 season on Monday evening. The proposal called for, among other things, a 60-game season, an expanded postseason, and no additional salary guarantees should the season be canceled due to the novel coronavirus. The vote — which featured one MLBPA representative per team and eight members of the union’s executive committee — was 33-5 against the proposal, CBS Sports HQ’s Jim Bowden confirmed.

While the league did not offer specifics of the imposed season, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports it will be 60 games. Here’s the league’s statement, which acknowledges the union’s rejection:

“Today, the Major League Baseball Players Association informed us that they have rejected the agreement framework developed by Commissioner Manfred and Tony Clark.  Needless to say, we are disappointed by this development.

“The framework provided an opportunity for MLB and its players to work together to confront the difficulties and challenges presented by the pandemic.  It gave our fans the chance to see an exciting new Postseason format.  And, it offered players significant benefits including:

  1. The universal DH for two years
  2. A guaranteed $25 million in playoff pools in 2020
  3. $33 million in forgiven salary advances that would increase the take home pay of 61% of Major League players
  4. Overall earnings for players of 104 percent of prorated salary
  5. Over the last two days, MLB agreed to remove expanded Postseason in 2021 in order to address player concerns

“In view of this rejection, the MLB Clubs have unanimously voted to proceed with the 2020 season under the terms of the March 26th Agreement.  The provisions listed above will not be operative.

“In order to produce a schedule with a specific number of games, we are asking that the Players Association provide to us by 5:00 p.m. (ET) tomorrow with two pieces of information.  The first is whether players will be able to report to camp within seven days (by July 1st).  The second is whether the Players Association will agree on the Operating Manual which contains the health and safety protocols necessary to give us the best opportunity to conduct and complete our regular season and Postseason.”

The MLBPA released a statement earlier Monday evening implying it was done negotiating with the league over the specifics of a return-to-play plan.  Manfred gained the right to impose a season as part of a March agreement between the sides. He had resisted exercising that right due to concerns from the owners’ side about a potential union grievance, which would claim the owners did not negotiate in good faith and with the intent to play as many games as possible.

Indeed, the union waiving its right to a grievance seemingly became a central part of the negotiations late in the process. Still, with no agreement in place and time running out, Manfred has turned to his last-resort option — one that will then, in all likelihood, spur a grievance from the union that could prove financially costly if the players can prove the owners were intentionally dribbling out the clock.

Monday’s developments came on the heels of more harrowing news as 40 MLB players and staff members reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus in recent days. MLB has reportedly ordered all spring training sites to be closed and sanitized, and personnel must test negative for COVID-19 before being allowed to return.

Above report from Ken Rosenthal of the Atlantic and CBS Sports.

For more MBL and New York Yankees news stay with EmpireSportsMedia.com for the latest.

MLB Breaking News: Players union rejects 60 game season, the next move is on Manfred, details

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In the latest move to have a New York Yankees 2020 baseball season, the MLBPA (players union) has rejected the supposed last MLB offer for a baseball season of  60 games. Without a formal rejection, the players countered with a 70 game season that owners immediately rejected.  The union late today voted on the MLB plan and rejected it 33-5.

The MLBPA then released a statement Monday evening, implying it was done negotiating with the league over the specifics of a return-to-play plan.

The next step is expected to see commissioner Rob Manfred impose a season on the players. It’s unclear if Manfred will take that step on Monday night (or even on Tuesday). However, he is supposed to have a call with the owners, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.

Under the March agreement baseball Commissioner, Manfred has the right to impose a season of MLB’s liking as long as the players receive their full pro-rata pay for the games played.  By imposing a season, he leaves both sides of the negotiations to file grievances and counter grievances over the season.

Indeed, the union waiving its right to a grievance seemingly became a central part of the negotiations late in the process. Still, with no agreement in place and time running out, Manfred will presumably turn to his last-resort option, one that he will implore to impose.

The union vote comes on the heels of more harrowing news as 40 MLB players and staff members reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus in recent days. MLB has reportedly ordered all spring training sites to be closed and sanitized, and personnel must test negative for COVID-19 before being allowed to return.

Ken Rosenthal, an MLB insider, made this report about an hour ago, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that MLB will have a conference call with the owners tonight to get their input.

MLB Breaking News: MLB shuts down all training camps while MLB awaits MLBPA vote, details

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The New York Yankees have closed down the George M. Steinbrenner spring training complex along with all teams spring training facilities as ordered by MLB per CBS Sports.  The closure is over the COVID-19 coronavirus. The move came in the wake of the Philadelphia Phillies announcing Friday five players had tested positive for COVID-19.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the spring complexes in  Florida and Arizona will temporarily close because of recent events. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because there wasn’t an official statement. The facilities will undergo a deep cleaning and disinfecting. No one will be permitted back inside without a negative test for the virus.

The closure apparently came about overnight after several teams said they had players testing positive or family members.  Those teams include the Blue Jays, the Giants, the Rangers, and the Houston Astros.  With the Philadelphia Phillies having five positive tests, MLB decided the move was necessary to protect players. At this time, no New York Yankee cases have been reported.

Florida has experienced rising incidents of new cases and rates of those testing positive for COVID-19. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases in Florida has increased by 1,422.7, or 144.4%. Arizona also has had a recent spike in cases, hitting a record for new daily cases.

MLB set to impose baseball Schedule if players vote no!

John Heyman, an insider at the MLB Network, has reported, “If players vote no on the famed 60-game framework deal as seems quite possible, Manfred is indeed planning to set the schedule for 50-60 games. So there will be baseball — unless the COVID numbers worsen to the point where it’s considered unsafe.

With the latest move by MLB to close spring training camps amidst players catching the virus and with 18 states now reporting increased cases of the virus a baseball season of any kind seems to be becoming increasingly murkier.  With the contentious MLB MLBPA going on for weeks now, it appeared the sides were closer to making it happen. But that suggestion seemed to hit a roadblock when the owners proposed a 60 day season with 100% of the prorated salaries paid to players.

In the most recent move, the Players Union countered with a 70 game season, which the owners immediately rejected. MLB wants to get in the season before the virus has a second wave in the fall, as suggested by Dr. Tony Fauci, the leading virus expert.  There is a possibility that as states open their economies, that wave may already be on the horizon. In the end, MLB or MLBPA may have nothing to say about a baseball season.

Stay with EmpireSportsMedia.com for all the latest details.

 

 

MLB: Five Phillies players and three staff members test positive for COVID-19

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Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Players’ Association (MLBPA) have been negotiating for months about the number of games that a hypothetical season would have given that coronavirus took, so far, nearly three months of the 2020 calendar. However, and while there is no agreement yet in place, we tend to forget about the other potential bump in the road that can significantly alter the course of the year: coronavirus.

According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, five players in the Philadelphia Phillies as well as three staff members at the team’s spring training facility in Clearwater, FL have tested positive for COVID-19.

Per the journalist, none of the eight infected individuals have been hospitalized and the virus “appears to be under control in all of them.”

While the team confirmed the report, we don’t know the names of the infected individuals as of now. More cases could be around the corner, as 12 additional staff members and roughly 20 players are still awaiting the reuslts of their tests. Eight staff members tested negative.

MLB needs to pay attention to COVID-19

MLB will need to come up with a convincing plan to cope with the disease and what to do when there are several cases at the same time, like at the Phillies’ camp. As cases have been increasing in America during the last few days, more infections remain a strong possibility in the near future.

As far as MLB goes, this is the first known outbreak of this kind. It should serve as a reminder for us: as MLB and the union are still ironing things out when it comes to pay and games to play, there might be an even bigger barrier to overcome, and it is COVID-19.

The Phillies’ decided to close their spring training complex in Clearwater for now. “The first confirmed case occurred this past Tuesday, June 16,” the team said in a statement.

Managing partner John Middleton added: “The Phillies are committed to the health and welfare of our players, coaches and staff as our highest priority, and as a result of these confirmed tests, all facilities in Clearwater have been closed indefinitely to all players, coaches and staff and will remain closed until medical authorities are confident that the virus is under control and our facilities are disinfected.”

Breaking News: Players Union counters MLB proposal with more games, MLB says No

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New York Yankees fans were encouraged by Manfred’s statement that led baseball lovers everywhere to believe a baseball deal had been accomplished, and the only thing left was a union vote approving the deal.  But as the evening progressed, a letter from players union executive director Tony Clark was released stating: citing “a number of significant issues with what [MLB Manfred] proposed” and stated, “there certainly were no tentative agreements reached.”

With the sides constantly disagreeing on issues now, they don’t seem to be able to agree on whether an agreement has been reached. However, there is more optimism today than a few days ago when Clark said that further negotiations would be futile. With yesterday’s MLB announcement, I was hoping to be writing about a start to the season this morning, but It appears the sides are closer together to make that happen to provide some hope of an MLB season. The supposed agreement could be a jump start that has been needed.

A jump start it was as the players union came back quickly in less than 24 hours with a counter compromise.  The players are proposing a 70 game season •Clubs granted permission to sell advertisements/patches on uniforms in 2020/2021 •Enhanced housing allowances in spring training and regular season •DH in 2020 and 2021 •Parties to collaborate on broadcast enhancements •Mutual waiver of grievances.

But in less than an hour, the owners are not responding positively to player’s counterproposal. Owners believed they’d had a meeting of the minds, and the number was 60 games. They are calling the counterproposal “Dead on Arrival.”

Union also seeking loan forgiveness for certain categories of lesser-paid players from $170M advance that was part of March agreement, source says. MLB offered to forgive $33M in the last proposal, but that was with a 60-game season.  A meeting of the minds may be close at hand.  Progress certainly is being made.  Stay with EmpireSportsMedia.com for all the updated information.

MLB News: Despite optimism there is no agreement for a baseball season, details here

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While New York Yankees President Randy Levine expressed his optimism that there would be a baseball season, urging the sides to negotiate, Commissioner Manfred issued what appeared to be blockbuster news.

“At my request Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix.  We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective contituents. I summarized that framework several times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same”

Manfred’s statement led baseball lovers everywhere to believe a baseball deal had been accomplished, and the only thing left was a union vote approving the deal.  But as the evening progressed, a letter from players union executive director Tony Clark was released stating: citing “a number of significant issues with what [MLB Manfred] proposed” and stated, “there certainly were no tentative agreements reached.”

Here is what Manfred’s latest proposal looks like:

  • Spring training would begin no later than June 28 for position players.
  • The season would consist of 60 games over 70 days, beginning July 19 or 20 and ending Sept. 27.
  • An expanded postseason in 2020 and 2021, with a minimum players’ pool of $25 million.
  • 100 percent prorated salaries (60 games would amount to about 37 percent of a 162-game season and salary)
  • The designated hitter in both leagues in 2020 and 2021.
  • Opt-out rights for high-risk individuals, as defined by the CDC.
  • MLB would direct $10 million for social justice initiatives.
  • ‘Minimum’ player commitments for broadcast elements, including the miking of players.
  • Corporate advertising on uniforms in 2020 and 2021.
  • Enhanced housing allowances for spring training and regular season.
  • Mutual waiver of potential grievances under the March Agreement.

MLB on their part has made significant comprises to the players union so that a season can be accomplished.  100 percent of prorated salaries is one of them. Previous MBL plans have called for large reductions in play.  The plan also allows players to have corporate advertising on uniforms to increase player revenue. But among other issues, the players are holding fast to wanting more games going later into the season.

According to how you look at the MLB deal, it appears each side of the negotiation gets a little of what they wanted.  The players will be paid their full prorated salaries, and the owners get a shortened season that will reduce losses from a much longer season. It makes you wonder why the sides couldn’t have come to a similar compromise earlier, producing a much more legitimate season.

After the final tweaking of the agreement, both sides may see that 66 games make more sense schedule-wise. 12 games each vs. 4 division opponents, 3 games each vs. 4 interleague opponents, and 6 games (home and home) vs. interleague rivals. The exact details may not be known until spring training 2.0 is resumed if the sides can finally come together and make it happen.

With the sides constantly disagreeing on issues now, they don’t seem to be able to agree on whether an agreement has been reached.  However, there is more optimism today than a few days ago when Clark said that further negotiations would be futile. With yesterday’s MLB announcement, I was hoping to be writing about a start to the season this morning, but It appears the sides are closer together to make that happen to provide some hope of an MLB season.  The supposed agreement could be a jump start that has been needed.

 

MLB News: Dr. Fauci says no to baseball beyond September, and some owners want out

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While  New York Yankees fans sit in limbo, waiting for baseball to return, MLB and the MLBPA (players union) apparently aren’t even negotiating at this time.  After several proposals have come and gone, the players association has said further talks will be futile.  Meanwhile, the start of a season, if there is one, keeps getting pushed back.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, doesn’t want to see baseball played beyond September this year.  Fauci is the nation’s leading coronavirus expert, and he weighed in about when play should end.  He said that baseball should be played in the summer core months of July and August and would like to see the World Series completed in September.

He cites the rising rates of coronavirus infections in MLB states that have reopened their economies, specifically mentioning California and Arizona. However, ten other states have reported an uptick in new cases, many of them with MLB Stadiums.  Reuters reported that Fauci said:

“Even in warm weather, like in Arizona and California, we’re starting to see resurgences as we open up (after shelter-at-home periods),” Fauci told the Times. “But I think the chances of there being less of an issue in the end of July and all of August and September are much, much better than if you go into October.”

Dr. Fauci has been and continues to warn of a second wave of increased infections that could be as bad or even worse than the present wave, especially as the regular flu ramps up in the fall.

“The likelihood is that, if you stick to the core summer months, you are better off, even though there is no guarantee. … If you look at the kinds of things that could happen, there’s no guarantee of anything. You would want to do it at a time when there isn’t the overlap between influenza and the possibility of a fall second wave.”

When asked about fans in the stands, Fauci had this to say to the Los Angeles Times: “Unless you have a dramatic diminution in cases, I would feel comfortable in spaced seating, where you fill one-half or one-third or whatever it is of the stadium, and everybody is required to wear a mask in the stadium.” Fauci’s call for baseball to end in September may add fuel to the owner’s case for fewer games then the players want.

Some MLB owners want to completely opt-out of a season

There are many baseball teams like the New York Yankees that want to see a baseball season this year, albeit a significantly shortened season. Just yesterday Yankee President Randy Levine said he wanted to see the sides get together, iron things out and get a deal done to start a 2020 baseball season.

Yet CBS sports and other sources have reported that there are at least six owners who don’t want a 2020 campaign. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich, for their part, quoted a player agent who said, “there are definitely more than eight owners who don’t want to play.” Whether that’s the case or simply speculation is unclear. None of the suspected hard lining owners are named either way.  You would have to assume that they are the owners of the less profitable franchises who would have the most to lose.

The significance of this report is that for Commissioner Rob Manfred to impose a baseball season, 75% of owners have to agree with it.  It appears with negotiations at a standstill; it may be Manfred’s only option.  If six owners opt-out of a season, it is not a problem, but if eight or more want no season, they could arbitrarily cancel the season for all of MLB.