This is not going to make baseball fans happy.
The NBA is making strides toward a potential return, but it does not look like the MLB is trying to get their 2020 season started.
Buster Olney of ESPN reported some MLB owners are “perfectly willing” to cancel the 2020 season amid ongoing negotiations.
“Sources say there is a group of owners perfectly willing to shut down the season, to slash payroll costs and reduce losses, and the disparate views among the 30 teams have been reflected in the decisions to fire and furlough. The Pirates’ Bob Nutting used the shutdown as an avenue to suspend team contributions to employee 401K plans — savings best measured monthly in the tens of thousands of dollars rather than the millions that would actually be difference-making for a franchise probably worth at least $1 billion. The Oakland Athletics’ John Fisher decided to eliminate the $400 weekly salaries of minor leaguers, which might save the franchise about the amount of the team’s unpaid stadium rental bill. On the other hand, clubs such as the Tigers, Padres and Royals demonstrated greater humanity, with the Royals’ John Sherman deciding to pay his minor leaguers.”
It was last week when MLB introduced an economic proposal to the players that would drastically reduce salaries beyond the previously orchestrated prorated salaries.
The MLBPA angrily rejected the proposal, also saying the owners and players were “far apart on safety and health protocols.”
New York Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman said the feasibility for a 2020 season was “not looking promising.”
It looks like neither side is willing to budge on anything right now and that does not bode well for fans who were already looking at a season where they wouldn’t be able watch their favorite teams in person due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WANT MORE FROM TOTALPROSPORTS? FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE NEWS.