According to Tim Brown from Yahoo SportsMajor League Baseball has made a new proposal to the MLB Players’ Association regarding the 2021 season and the ongoing struggle to control the spread of COVID-19 and provide players and staff with a safe environment to return to work.
Per Brown, the league on Friday “proposed to the union a schedule of 154 games with full pay, postponed for a month and extended for a week,” adding that the previously discussed issue of extended post-season play was included in the proposal.
The union is thinking about it.
Last week, the Arizona Cactus League sent a letter to MLB expressing concern about a noticeable rise in COVID cases across the region, which coincided with the start of Arizona-based spring training camps in mid-February and recommended a postponement of the opening of camps.
The letter – reportedly obtained by MLB itself (Alex Coffey, The athletic) in an effort to delay the season until fans can safely attend, which in turn boosts revenue – was met hesitation of the MLBPA regarding the league’s inability to make these calls unilateral, also noting “MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for a timely start”.
Between safe planning and the still undecided fate of the universal designated batter, there is still plenty to do before pitchers and catchers sign up for spring practice.
We will keep you posted.
