Report: MLB 'Plans to Deliver' New Economic Proposal to MLBPA on Tuesday

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured ColumnistMay 22, 2020

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Major league baseballs sit in a basket during batting practice before a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on September 22, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

And now baseball fans wait.

According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, Major League Baseball "plans to deliver" its new economics proposal to the league's players association Tuesday. The players will then review it as the two sides attempt to reach an agreement on how to proceed with a potential 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The labor issue is another layer for baseball on top of the public-health concerns.

On Saturday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the league proposed performing as many as 10,000 COVID-19 tests per week, and the New York Post's Joel Sherman shared the players' response:

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
1/The MLBPA sent its response to MLB’s health/safety proposal. The union said its response was wide-ranging and included:

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
In conversations with players and agents heard players were hoping -- among many other things -- to get restrictions lifted on showering at stadiums, especially b4 going on road. And bans on items such as hydrotherapy pools that help with preparation/recovery.

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
Players also want test volume increased. Daily would be best to allow even greater comfort/fewer restrictions within clubhouse/ballpark. Question will be if MLB can get enough tests without depleting from what is publicly needed to make that happen.

As for the economic issues, the league is concerned about losing money with games in front of empty stadiums.

Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reported the league told its players it expects to lose approximately $640,000 per game if players are earning their prorated salaries while fans are not present.

As a result, the league was looking to split any 2020 revenue 50-50 with the players, but the players do not want that to become a reality. The two sides had agreed in March that the players would receive prorated salaries in a shortened season.

Passan previously reported a 50-50 split would be a "non-starter for the players."

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