MLB owners, players plan for 2020 season should coronavirus restrictions be eased
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement on how to salvage the 2020 season should the coronavirus pandemic show signs of being curbed in the coming weeks, according to multiple reports.
All agree that they want to play as many of the originally scheduled 162 games as possible, which would rely on a June start to the regular season and playoff baseball being pushed into November.
Both sides agreed that games would not be played until there are no longer bans on large gatherings that prevent playing in front of fans, there are no restrictions to travel, and experts agree there is no risk to players and fans. However, MLB and the players will consider the possibility of playing in empty ballparks.
Players will receive a full year of service time, which was their No. 1 issue. The union, in turn, agreed to not sue for the owners to play players’ full salaries should the 2020 season be canceled.
A June start would allow owners to collect revenues on the majority of their TV contracts, and extending the regular season beyond September would allow them to recoup as much gate revenue as possible.
The sides also agreed to cost-cutting measures as owners look to avoid adding costs.
MLB has the right to shorten the June amateur draft from 40 rounds to five. Holding only five rounds would save money but create a massive backlog of talent for the 2021 draft. It would also create headaches for college teams that have already signed recruiting classes and are now faced with the issue of how to deal with seniors receiving an extra year of eligibility after the NCAA canceled all spring seasons.
MLB has the option of shortening the 2021 draft to 20 rounds. The union agreed to keep draft bonuses at the 2019 levels for the next three drafts.
Smaller draft classes and delays to the next two international signing periods could also give MLB more leverage as it negotiates with Minor League Baseball on reducing the number of minor-league franchises.
The Texas Rangers are bracing for a return to Arizona for a condensed spring training prior to Opening Day. Owners and players are hoping that will be in June, and mechanisms will soon be in place if that happens.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 10:32 AM.
