Rob Manfred is not sure that there will be a 2020 season. For a few days already, there had been hope in the MLB. Why? Because the idea of seeing the season start on July 10 was cast in stone. At least that’s what Rob Manfred said.
Things, he says, have changed, however. Due to the refusal of the Players’ Association to negotiate in good faith, he does not see how a season could be imposed.
This is what made him say, publicly, that he is no longer certain that the 2020 season will be contested.
BREAKING: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred tells @Espngreeny that he’s “not confident” there will be a 2020 baseball season. “Unfortunately," Manfred said, "I can’t tell you that I’m a 100% certain that’s gonna happen.”
News at @espn: https://t.co/h1I6Yh5R55
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 15, 2020
Is it just a way of negotiating in the media? It’s easy to believe so … but it doesn’t smell good.
An hour ago, it was already starting to smell bad …
Remember how I was so positive that we would be watching Major League Baseball this season. I heard and said 100 percent there would be games. I’m no longer living in the 100 percent world. Apparently even the most optimistic are no longer there either
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) June 15, 2020
What makes the commissioner doubt now is the fact that the MLBPA announced this morning the intention to continue the league if it imposes a season of 50 games.
Basically, we are talking about the players’ plan to raise another billion dollars by pursuing the league. On what basis? By imposing 50 games, Manfred would not have respected the clause which requires that the longest possible season be contested.
Until then, MLBPA’s refusal to negotiate means that the sanitary conditions for returning to play cannot be negotiated properly.
With negotiations now completely stalled, MLB and union will now focus on safety and health protocols while creating a schedule for shortened season. https://t.co/RXKjtAMyTe
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 15, 2020
Earlier today, the MLB reportedly sent a letter to the players telling them that without a signature relieving them of any legal claim against the league, there would be no season.
And we doubt that it pleased the players …
Source: In a letter today, MLB told the MLBPA there would be no 2020 season unless the players waived any legal claims against the league.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 15, 2020
Let’s see what happens next. Are you confident?
- Good point
How humiliating is this? Tonight, Rob Manfred will appear on an ESPN special called "The Return of Sports" with five other commissioners — all of whom have restart plans already finalized.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 15, 2020
- Do you have a friend who spent a week in the woods? Show him this, he’ll understand everything.
Manfred: There will be 100% be a season!
Players: Tell us when and where!
Manfred: There might not be a season actually.That happened between Wednesday and today.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) June 15, 2020
- Here is one who is not happy.
- And there is another.
So, Rob, explain to us how you can be 100% sure that there’s going to be baseball but not confident there will be baseball at the same time? hmmm. What changed between those statements 🤔🤔 Players told you to set the season, but it’s too early to set the season right now,
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 15, 2020
- When I saw this, I told myself that I was going to keep it for MLB in short. Finally, it looks like the joke is going less, right?
Fun thought: If no Covid vaccine next spring and with potential work stoppage in 2022, we might not see a full baseball season with fans in attendance until 2023. Admittedly the most pessimistic way to look at it, but hardly a far-fetched outcome.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) June 15, 2020
