The fight between the MLB and its players to get a season started came to a bitter end Monday night as Rob Manfred announced he will implement a season to start at the end of July.
With the absence of an agreement from the players, and unanimous support from the owners, Manfred is set to mandate a 60-game season starting the weekend of July 24th.
As the MLBPA convened Monday night, its representatives voted down the last proposal from the owners with a 33-5 vote. Even though the amount of games in the last proposal remains the same as a mandated season, the players did not want to forfeit their right to file a grievance to obtain potential lost wages.
The players believe that they negotiated in good faith, but the owners insisted they could not afford to pay more than 60 games at full pro rata without the benefit of the postseason. The latest surge from the COVID-19 pandemic has also made any plans for the playoffs far from a certainty.
In order to kick start the season, the MLBPA has until 5 PM Tuesday to let the league know they will report to Spring Training by July 1st, as well as agree to the previously released health & safety protocols. If the players and owners can't agree on health & safety measures, the number of games in the mandated season would shrink.
The guys from the Batter Up! Podcast expressed their frustration at both sides this week.
