Manfred And Clark’s Face-To-Face Talks Spur Framework For Start Of Long-Delayed MLB Season

Better late than never.

The 2020 Major League Baseball season, delayed first by the outbreak of a contagious virus and then by disagreements between players and owners, is finally showing signs of life.

After two days of face-to-face meetings in Arizona, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Players Association chief Tony Clark apparently agreed on a framework for peace Wednesday.

Though both leaders need to secure the approval of their constituents, sources indicated the season will run at least 60 games, start July 16, and end with an expanded playoff format that would include 16 of the 30 teams.

It would also include safety protocols designed to keep participants from catching COVID-19, the disease that shuttered professional sports on March 12, two weeks before the original Opening Day.

“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix,” Manfred said in a statement issued in mid-afternoon. “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 constituents.

“I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”

The breakthrough ends a 10-week stalemate highlighted by an acrimonious exchange of e.mails that seemed to create more hard-liners on both sides.

Just two days ago, Manfred indicated there were at least eight club owners willing to cancel the season. To get approval on this new deal, the commissioner needs 23 of the 30 owners to approve.

The major sticking point had been compensation for players. Although the union agreed to accept pro-rated salaries based upon number of games played, it refused to accept additional salary reductions if games were played without spectators.

Game-day revenue accounts for more than 40 per cent of team financial intake. In fact, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said last week that his team makes 70 per cent of its money that way.

Both sides stand to lose millions because of the three-month delay, which will also eliminate the 2020 All-Star Game, but owners will recoup some of their losses through broadcast coverage of the expanded playoffs.

Before the season starts, teams will conduct a second spring training, probably lasting three weeks and including a week of exhibition games.

Fans may not recognize the game once the opening bell rings.

The National League will use the designated hitter for the first time, relief pitchers will have to face a minimum of three hitters, and teams will be scheduled only to play within their own divisions – with East vs. East, Central vs. Central, and West vs. West – to reduce required travel.

Since minor-league baseball is unlikely to resume, team rosters will be expanded to 30 at the start, then gradually reduced to 28 and eventually to 26, with a “taxi squad” of reserves ready for promotion in the event of injury or poor performance by a rostered player.

Trades between teams, barred since the March 12 suspension, will also be allowed, with new rules to be set regarding trade deadlines and waiver deals.

The primary concern for both sides now is health protocols. The coronavirus has killed more than 115,000 Americans and has forced shutdowns of schools, hotels, restaurants, and Broadway shows.

Because medical officials, led by immunology expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, predict a probable second wave when cool weather returns this fall, ownership insisted that the World Series be completed in October.

With weather also a concern, some games could be played at neutral sites, especially ballparks with domes.

As an industry, baseball made an estimated $10.7 million last year, while players enjoyed average salaries of $4.4 million and minimum salaries of $563,500. Less than a week ago, the Turner Broadcasting System agreed to a billion-dollar deal to broadcast one of the two League Championship Series.

With unemployment exceeding 40 million because of the pandemic, however, many fans might not be willing or able to afford baseball tickets even if they could go to games. That could be a problem beyond this season – especially if the plague persists into 2021.

Expiration of the Basic Agreement between owners and players also looms on the horizon. It expires after next season. The game has been halted by labor disputes eight times since 1972 — and that doesn’t even count the latest dispute, which delayed the re-start of the 2020 campaign.