Will The MLB Suspend The 2020 season

[Kimmi]

Are you sure of that? I assumed players would simply be given the option to sit the season out. There is no way the MLB can determine the difference between an 'unhealthy' player or one with family members at risk and a healthy one. They will spend the entire off-season in court if they try to enforce a policy like that.

 

This is what MLB Trade Rumors reports on the latest proposal:

 

"Players who are considered “high risk” candidates for COVID-19 would be able to opt out of playing this season while still receiving their entire prorated salaries. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that the “high risk” designation also extends to players who have spouses, children, or other live-in family members with pre-existing health conditions. For players who don’t face a “high-risk” situation but still don’t want to play in 2020, they will receive service time but no salary."

 

I agree that defining 'high risk' is going to be extremely subjective and open to a lot of debate.

[jad]

This is what MLB Trade Rumors reports on the latest proposal:

 

"Players who are considered “high risk” candidates for COVID-19 would be able to opt out of playing this season while still receiving their entire prorated salaries. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that the “high risk” designation also extends to players who have spouses, children, or other live-in family members with pre-existing health conditions. For players who don’t face a “high-risk” situation but still don’t want to play in 2020, they will receive service time but no salary."

 

I agree that defining 'high risk' is going to be extremely subjective and open to a lot of debate.

 

Wow. I'm surprised. I just assumed players would be able to opt out of playing. It may be a moot point, as I imagine most players will want to play in hopes of increasing their value.

[Tedballgame]

I assume this is ironic, and I apologize for missing in. On the off chance you were serious, I'd like the names of those 32 mayors and the statements they made that they have no problems with 20-50,000 people in a stadium, please. You can start with de Blasio and Garcetti.

Have you seen the mass of rioters and looters in most big cities? No mayors have stopped that. They have encouraged it. Why would they care about baseball fans? de Blasio has no problems with all the people on the streets of NYC. Why would he care about baseball fans in a stadium? Garcetti was right there today with all the "protesters", touching them, not social distancing. This has all been a big lie! Edited June 4, 2020 by Tedballgame

[mvp 78]

There’s a better thread for some of these comments maybe.

[Tedballgame]

I have always been a huge sports fan but at this point, I don't care if they have baseball or not. If fans can't be in the stands, what is the point? The players are greedy, the owners are greedy too but they are businessmen. IF the MLBPA doesn't like the proposal, don't play. Its their careers. See how their skills are after not playing for over a year. Players who don't want to play can sit out if they want. Who cares? I also could care less if I ever see another NBA game. Shutting down America for COVID-19 will go down as the biggest mistake in history. The burning of our cities and rioting and looting needs to be stopped.

[Kimmi]

Wow. I'm surprised. I just assumed players would be able to opt out of playing. It may be a moot point, as I imagine most players will want to play in hopes of increasing their value.

 

I would guess that most players would want to play also. For the most part, the only ones who sit out will be the ones who have legitimate health concerns.

[Kimmi]

I have always been a huge sports fan but at this point, I don't care if they have baseball or not. If fans can't be in the stands, what is the point? The players are greedy, the owners are greedy too but they are businessmen. IF the MLBPA doesn't like the proposal, don't play. Its their careers. See how their skills are after not playing for over a year. Players who don't want to play can sit out if they want. Who cares? I also could care less if I ever see another NBA game. Shutting down America for COVID-19 will go down as the biggest mistake in history. The burning of our cities and rioting and looting needs to be stopped.

 

Ted, there is a thread in the General Off Topic part of this forum that would be more appropriate for posts like this and your previous one.

[oldtimer]

I have always been a huge sports fan but at this point, I don't care if they have baseball or not. If fans can't be in the stands, what is the point? The players are greedy, the owners are greedy too but they are businessmen. IF the MLBPA doesn't like the proposal, don't play. Its their careers. See how their skills are after not playing for over a year. Players who don't want to play can sit out if they want. Who cares? I also could care less if I ever see another NBA game. Shutting down America for COVID-19 will go down as the biggest mistake in history. The burning of our cities and rioting and looting needs to be stopped.

 

Ted

 

I am 79 and also share your sentiment about not playing. If they reach agreement by each giving in on some points then I am happy enough to watch games on TV. No fans in stands. The most I see is an 82 game season. If they can't negotiate in good faith, then I will find other avenues for my sports entertainment. i also think we should avoid bringing in political topics here as there are more suitable places for those discussions.

[Elktonnick]

I understand the owners have rejected the players proposal of a 114 game season.

[jad]

[that was harsh. I'll delete] Edited June 4, 2020 by jad

[Kimmi]

I understand the owners have rejected the players proposal of a 114 game season.

 

They aren't even submitting a counter proposal. Probably a negotiating ploy.

[notin]

They aren't even submitting a counter proposal. Probably a negotiating ploy.

 

If I had to bet, I would say no 2020 season,....

[Bellhorn04]

If I had to bet, I would say no 2020 season,....

 

I think just when we've all given up, they'll pull something together.

[notin]

I think just when we've all given up, they'll pull something together.

 

 

I already unpacked my white flag...

[Elktonnick]

I think just when we've all given up, they'll pull something together.

 

They had better because the future of baseball as a major sport is at stake.

[jad]

Have you seen the mass of rioters and looters in most big cities? No mayors have stopped that. They have encouraged it. Why would they care about baseball fans? de Blasio has no problems with all the people on the streets of NYC. Why would he care about baseball fans in a stadium? Garcetti was right there today with all the "protesters", touching them, not social distancing. This has all been a big lie!

 

OK. SO of the 32 mayor who you claimed were fine with mass gatherings, you could not produce one statement by any of them to that effect. And you say the mayors have encouraged looting. Not one of them has made any statement to that effect either. Thanks for your valuable input.

[jad]

If I had to bet, I would say no 2020 season,....

 

You would think the owners would at least come up with a conciliatory statement. But then, you would think some national leaders, who do not need to be named here, might have come with one over the problems they're supposed to be dealing with as well.

[Kimmi]

If I had to bet, I would say no 2020 season,....

 

At this point, I'm still leaning towards them having a season. There is too much at stake for them not to have a season because of money differences.

[Elktonnick]

At this point, I'm still leaning towards them having a season. There is too much at stake for them not to have a season because of money differences.

 

I remind you of the story of the scorpion and the frog. Which side is the scorpion and which.The frog, take your pick!

[Swiharts Ghost]

OK. SO of the 32 mayor who you claimed were fine with mass gatherings, you could not produce one statement by any of them to that effect. And you say the mayors have encouraged looting. Not one of them has made any statement to that effect either. Thanks for your valuable input.

 

Jad sadly he’s right .The overwhelming evidence shows that he’s infact right .So until some actually open ones ears and eyes one is blind and deaf like you and many others who are brainwashed .Keep lapping up the propaganda meanwhile the country burns we wear masks and they want to defund the police Lol ummm what’s this sound like ? No police but some made up constitution and ideology by who ? While wearing masks ? No religious gatherings but you can burn a city ? Keep going this way and baseball football basketball are the least of your worries pal .MLB season means verrrrrry little when the country is burning .Every one who is sane sees the truth the rest can mail in their ballot have there taxes raised freedoms taken and borders wide open .Enjoy the show sounds like you wanted it Gooooo Redsox !!!!! Massachusetts ?Redsox are all I cling from that state now what a disaster .

Edited June 5, 2020 by Swiharts Ghost

[a700hitter]

Not to be political, but if there aren't spikes in infections in about a week from today in the cities where there have been the largest protests, that will be very encouraging evidence for allowing mass gatherings like sports.

[Swiharts Ghost]

Not to be political, but if there aren't spikes in infections in about a week from today in the cities where there have been the largest protests, that will be very encouraging evidence for allowing mass gatherings like sports.

 

I agree A700 and frankly it’s past time to restart MLB .Could have been done a month ago in a few states non Liberal states frankly because not to be political either ??? Funny how Things have shaken out down party lines ? Whole thing needs to be investigated but never will be.I will get banned for my view and frankly because we live in a soft society of 1 view only .I don’t care It’s my own view and I’m not a zombie following the crowd .Go Redsox

Edited June 5, 2020 by Swiharts Ghost

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Yeah, baseball! Nothing better than reading and writing about baseball on a baseball forum.

[jad]

Not to be political, but if there aren't spikes in infections in about a week from today in the cities where there have been the largest protests, that will be very encouraging evidence for allowing mass gatherings like sports.

 

It's an interesting prospect, as right now, the owners are saying they are losing 600K/game, so they won't go for more than a 50 game season. But even a few thousand fans at game completely changes the calculus. Any deal now that doesn't take the possibility of a limited number of fans into account means that the owners just pocket the profits. Given the rancor between the sides, I'm not sure the possibility of fans helps--it may just increase the distrust of the owners on the part of players. (As Passan noted, the owners have consistently taken the position of privatizing profits and socializing losses).

[Bellhorn04]

(As Passan noted, the owners have consistently taken the position of privatizing profits and socializing losses).

 

Interesting statement that deserves some analysis. My first question would be how and when have the owners actually socialized losses.

[jad]

Interesting statement that deserves some analysis. My first question would be how and when have the owners actually socialized losses.

 

Of course it's a metaphor. the point he is making is that owners speak of their businesses in terms of revenue/expenses: how much did they take in, how much paid out. Normally they make gigantic profits, which they then keep (since players are merely salaried employees); they don't hand out end-of-the-year bonuses to players when the profits are large. Yet this year, when there are going to be losses, they want those losses shared by players (which of course they will be, in all scenarios). (A point that I believe he makes elsewhere, but not in his recent article, is that the accounting is to some extent bogus: the actual value of franchises is rising, and owners are increasing that value by investing in new stadiums etc. So if a franchise, say, doubles in value, and the owner then sells it, the owner gets a fortune, the players get nothing. e.g., the Clippers players didn't get a nickel when Sterling sold the team for $2.1 billion [i forget what he paid for it years ago, but it was paltry]).

[Bellhorn04]

Of course it's a metaphor. the point he is making is that owners speak of their businesses in terms of revenue/expenses: how much did they take in, how much paid out. Normally they make gigantic profits, which they then keep (since players are merely salaried employees); they don't hand out end-of-the-year bonuses to players when the profits are large. Yet this year, when there are going to be losses, they want those losses shared by players (which of course they will be, in all scenarios). (A point that I believe he makes elsewhere, but not in his recent article, is that the accounting is to some extent bogus: the actual value of franchises is rising, and owners are increasing that value by investing in new stadiums etc. So if a franchise, say, doubles in value, and the owner then sells it, the owner gets a fortune, the players get nothing. e.g., the Clippers players didn't get a nickel when Sterling sold the team for $2.1 billion [i forget what he paid for it years ago, but it was paltry]).

 

And I agree with a lot of this.

 

If I'm being devil's advocate for the owners I would argue what is being called sharing of losses is pay cutting, which is commonplace when businesses are losing money.

 

I could also argue that players do share profits, indirectly, because when business is booming players are getting monster contracts - guaranteed contracts that will be paid even if the player tanks.

[Elktonnick]

And I agree with a lot of this.

 

If I'm being devil's advocate for the owners I would argue what is being called sharing of losses is pay cutting, which is commonplace when businesses are losing money.

 

I could also argue that players do share profits, indirectly, because when business is booming players are getting monster contracts - guaranteed contracts that will be paid even if the player tanks.

If both sides do not get their act together they will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. If the game loses popularity franchise values will collapse. The destruction of the minor leagues pose a big long term threat to the viability to the game. Everybody loses. Quit the nonsense and work out a deal or a pox on both their houses.

[mvp 78]

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/06/05/report-mlb-owners-want-a-48-game-season/

 

48 game season? Why not just make it 60 and use day/night double headers? Day baseball could be great advertisement to kids stuck at home. Make it fun. Let players be mic'ed up. You can have a kid centric physics lesson, plant care with the groundskeeping crew, math, etc. Could be an interesting idea.

[Kimmi]

MLB might allow local governments to decide whether to allow fans into the games or not. It sounds like Texas, for one, would play with fans.

 

Evan Grant

 

@Evan_P_Grant

· 16h

Fairly significant: Sources indicate MLB is inclined to allow Texas-based teams to play with fans in stands, regardless of whether fans can attend in other markets. Talk about your home-state advantages.

 

 

Jon Heyman

 

@JonHeyman

·

52m

 

 

MLB would have a formula to distribute this $ to teams without fans in stands (and presumably to players, depending upon an agreement)