Another Saturday is in the books, and yet there is still no agreement between the owners and the Player’s Association. However, that does not mean that there have not been talks between the two sides.
The biggest area of concern revolves around prorated salaries for players. The MLBPA wants 100 percent prorated salary whereas the owners are asking for much less than that.
MLB’s newest proposal involves a 72-game season that would give players between an 80 to 85 percent prorated salary according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman and ESPN’s Karl Ravech. If the postseason is canceled, the league will significantly raise the player’s share of cash earnings.
Analysts have no confidence that the players will accept these terms and conditions, mainly due to the salary issue. But will it be the right choice for the players to make?
There is no doubt that the players believe they can convince the owners to give them the full prorated salary for the season. The owners initially began with a 70 percent prorated salary on just a 54 game season and have now evolved into at least 80 percent.
The owners may agree to pay the full prorated salary, but only at the cost of playing fewer games. But don’t count on any more than 54 games being played if that proposal becomes a reality.
Playing a 72-game season is almost the equivalent of playing a half-season, so a player with a $20 million salary will still be making at least $7 million with the 80 percent prorating. If no season is played, they’re making absolutely nothing.
Fans are patiently waiting for an agreement to happen, some of whom do not necessarily care if the season happens or not. Baseball is the final major sport that has no definite plan of action and does not seem to be anywhere close to a deal.
The time is nearing for a decision to be made, whether there is a season or not. Rob Manfred says that baseball will definitely be played. That claim may be proved correct or incorrect very soon.
