Though it does appear that both MLB and the players want to restart the season under some form of agreement, the two sides are still far apart on a plan, according to a USA Today report. The league will reportedly not back down on a maximum of 60 games in the season, and so will not counter-offer the MLBPA’s Thursday offer for a 70-game season, an offer that reportedly left the two sides about $300 million apart.
Union executive director Tony Clark said as much in a statement responding to the league’s reluctance to budge on the length of the season:
MLB has informed the Association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games. Our Executive Board will convene in the near future to determine next steps. Importantly, players remain committed to getting back to work as soon as possible.
The ball is now in MLB’s proverbial court, as it appears the union will not accept the 60-game offer and instead will force Manfred to decide whether he wants to mandate the season and its length, as is his prerogative. According to the USA Today report, Manfred is not against doing that, though he would prefer to come to an agreement with the players before employing that option.
If he does, none of the proposed rule changes — such as an expanded post-season and new extra inning rules — would come into effect; instead, baseball would be played under the same rules that it was last season.
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