After the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected the league's latest proposal for a 60-game season, Rob Manfred put in motion his right to impose a schedule by sending the players ... a 60-game season.
The MLBPA retained its right to file a grievance, which could be worth $1 billion if it wins, and might still be worth plenty of money in a loss (owners could have to reveal some of their finances in order to support their claims). Jeff Passan tidily sums up what had been talked about but wasn't included:
Under imposition, the deal is spare. Players would receive the full prorated share of their salaries -- about 37% of their full-season salaries and $1.5 billion total. The postseason would remain at 10 teams. Players would not receive forgiveness on the $170 million salary advance they received as part of the March agreement and would get no money from the postseason. Players would not agree to wearing on-field microphones. Teams would not wear advertising patches on their uniforms. The universal designated hitter likely would remain in place, as it's part of the health-and-safety protocol.
What do the players get out of it? The aforementioned right to grieve and full prorated salaries, which weren't regarded as a given for a long time. The negotiations between the league and union took a month, but the owners spent the first three weeks of that trying to pay the players significantly less than what they were owed. The first proposal that actually included full prorated salaries was discussed just five days earlier.
If you've stopped caring about that, then the big takeaways are:
Report date: The league wants to know if players can report to spring training by July 1, which is contingent on how quickly players can agree on the health and safety protocol.
Opening Day: If players report in time, the schedule would start July 24-26, ending on Sept. 27.
Then again, all it takes is a couple of prominent COVID-19 outbreaks to throw it all into turmoil again. The world's top tennis player just tested positive for it, which is yet another reminder that the pandemic can upset any plans at any time.
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Unrelated note: The White Sox announced the signing of Garrett Crochet for full slot value:
(Photo of Rob Manfred by Arturo Pardavila III)
