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Padres News: MLB presents proposal to MLBPA

By Ryan Sikes

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 18: An overview of Goodyear Ballpark prior to a spring training game between the Cleveland Indians and the San Diego Padres at Goodyear Ballpark on March 18, 2019 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 18: An overview of Goodyear Ballpark prior to a spring training game between the Cleveland Indians and the San Diego Padres at Goodyear Ballpark on March 18, 2019 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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After MLB owners approved the league’s proposal on Monday, it was presented to the MLBPA on Tuesday. Will we have a Padres season?

As expected, MLB owners approved the league’s proposal for an approximately 82-game schedule that would begin on July 4. The sign-off came quickly on Monday, and the fate of the Padres season lay in the hands of the MLBPA on Tuesday.

The early reports that trickled in indicated that the players were not pleased with the leagues’ 50-50 revenue share, which essentially puts a salary cap on the 2020 season. As you know, MLB is the only of the four major sports not to have a salary cap, but it makes sense that the players speak up on the matter.

They would be taking a considerable risk playing in a make-shift season amid the coronavirus pandemic. While other leagues across the pond have had an easier time resuming play, the 2020 MLB season will hinge on how the MLBPA responds to the league’s proposal.

This thing could drag out with a reported May 31st date being the rumored deadline for both sides to agree. So, it’s really not a surprise that, on day one, the MLBPA was focused on player safety first and foremost:

"MLBPA board members told ESPN last week that players are focused on medical protocols and testing designed to protect them from and detect the coronavirus."

No one should be the least bit surprised when the MLBPA officially declines to sign-off after officially hearing the economics of the proposal. Does that mean no baseball? Not necessarily. Again, the rumored date of May 31 allows some time for counteroffer and discussion with the hope that the players can have Spring Training 2.0 begin around June 10.

Obviously, player safety is the priority here. We don’t want anyone to contract the virus and continue to spread it. However, I think there’s a happen medium that can be achieved here. The players deserve to get paid for the risk they are taking, but they also won’t be making their normal salaries this season.

Stay tuned. This could be awhile.

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