COVID-19 Has MLB ‘Sheltered in Place’

Just in case you"ve been social distancing yourself from under a rock, let me bring you up to speed.

Background

Just a few days ago, it looked as if MLB would finally make its return. Obstacles remained, despite Rob Manfred saying “100 percent" on the chances we"d see action this summer. There was never any secret that the MLBPA would reject some of Manfred"s proposals, but the commissioner had no idea the union would stand so strongly.

As MLB offered the union a 40-50 game schedule, the MLBPA quickly countered. The union wanted 100-114 games, fully prorated salaries and playoffs lasting until almost Thanksgiving. To this, MLB said no dice. As part of the league"s generous counterproposal, they offered full proration of salaries and 60 games. They also wanted an insurance policy, asking the MLBPA to waive the right to any future grievances.

Although the MLBPA agreed to waiving the right to grieve, the number of games was still not set in stone. The MLBPA was willing to drop their demand down to 70 games, but this still caused shellshock for Manfred, who thought they"d had a deal. “I don"t know what Tony [Clark, union chief] and I were doing there for several hours, going back and forth and making trades, if we weren"t reaching an agreement," Manfred told reporters.

The Union Turns the Tables

MLB and its 30 franchise owners seemed to think the union"s counterproposal was going to break the bank.

You"d think the sides would meet in the middle, settling for a 65-game schedule, but not so fast – the union still had an ace in the hole. Some in the Yankees" camp thought MLB should just take the bull by the horns.

Although their demands were set high, the union also saw an advantage in letting Manfred decide. By withdrawing their counterproposal and allowing Manfred to unilaterally set the schedule at 60 games, it reopened the door for the MLBPA to file a grievance. In short, Manfred was damned if he did, and damned if he didn"t. At this point, the sides were deadlocked.

COVID-19 Halts Negotiations

Before Manfred and the owners even had a chance to debate their next move, the coronavirus put a stop to everything – for the second time this season.

The names of the infected member of the Phillies" organization were withheld due to HIPAA laws. One source told the Philadelphia Inquirer that reliever Tommy Hunter was among those who tested positive. It"s now also been confirmed that five players and three coaches made up the eight positive tests. The Phils then elected to indefinitely close their spring training camp in Clearwater, Florida.

While Florida, Texas and Arizona were tentatively slated to be the sites for whatever season would be played, spikes in each state have again raised concerns.

The virus is indeed the enemy. Not long after news broke of the virus rearing its ugly head in the Phillies" camp, the Yankees also became stricken.

Despite the way things look, this may be a setback that"s still able to be overcome. Part of the negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA have provisions for repeated testing, something that was not in place at the time of the outbreaks at the two spring training camps in Florida.

Although there"s still a slight chance that MLB may return this year, the hopes of many are beginning to fade. COVID-19 has now – twice – forced baseball to shelter in place. We"re now over the 100-day mark since MLB halted operations, and again there"s no start date in sight.

Cut your lawn, go fishing or file your nails – this may take a while.

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