OT: MLB Restart

[Doctor Worm]

The MLB restart finally appears imminent. ESPN reporting that the owners, having had their 60 game proposal turned down by the MLBPA, are going to unilaterally impose it. Season will begin July 24 and end September 27. 10 team playoff as normal (owners wanted 16, players wouldn't agree). Universal DH.

For this to happen, MLBPA needs to do to things:

• Sign off on health and safety protocols
• Agree to report to home stadiums for training by July 1.

MLBPA approval is expected. Would not be surprised if this is announced today.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ason-starting-july-24-assuming-conditions-met

 

[sunsetregret]

They should just go entirely with scab rosters for the season. The fans would love it. Nobody would have any idea if their team was good or not before the season starts. Every team would have a legit shot at a World Series.

 

[Doctor Worm]

They should just go entirely with scab rosters for the season. The fans would love it. Nobody would have any idea if their team was good or not before the season starts. Every team would have a legit shot at a World Series.

While I suspect you are trolling, let me briefly respond on the off chance that you're serious: You are aware that the real players have real contracts, right?

Oh and one other thing - the fans would NOT love scab baseball. Trust me on that one.

 

[sunsetregret]

While I suspect you are trolling, let me briefly respond on the off chance that you're serious: You are aware that the real players have real contracts, right?

Oh and one other thing - the fans would NOT love scab baseball. Trust me on that one.

I'm not trolling at all. The players have contracts, but they are saying they won't play. That's fine with me. I'd love a season of scab players. (1) It would be exciting, and (2) it would likely break the union. And I'm a Yankees fan - I think they'll win the World Series this year ... but I'd still rather see an "anything goes" scab season.

 

[Doctor Worm]

I'm not trolling at all. The players have contracts, but they are saying they won't play. That's fine with me. I'd love a season of scab players. (1) It would be exciting, and (2) it would likely break the union. And I'm a Yankees fan - I think they'll win the World Series this year ... but I'd still rather see an "anything goes" scab season.

Your premise is incorrect. The players are saying they WILL play - we think. Should know by end of day.

 

[Morrischiano2]

MLB could have struck this deal a month ago and should have had opening day on July 4th. A missed opportunity for them.

This season will not feel like real baseball. No fans in the stands. For the first 1/3 of the season, starting pitchers will barely get to 5 innings. DH in the NL. 40 man rosters with frequent substitutions. Moreover, if you get an oblique injury you are essentially done for the year. I expect Stanton to get 30 at bats before he's shutdown for 2020.

That being said, some baseball is better than no baseball.

#LetsGoMets

 

[T2Kplus10]

The MLB restart finally appears imminent. ESPN reporting that the owners, having had their 60 game proposal turned down by the MLBPA, are going to unilaterally impose it. Season will begin July 24 and end September 27. 10 team playoff as normal (owners wanted 16, players wouldn't agree). Universal DH.

For this to happen, MLBPA needs to do to things:

• Sign off on health and safety protocols
• Agree to report to home stadiums for training by July 1.

MLBPA approval is expected. Would not be surprised if this is announced today.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ason-starting-july-24-assuming-conditions-met

Meh.

The players really look awful and lost public support during their tantrums. This does not bode well for the next CBA negotiations after the 2021 season.

 

[RUPsyched]

This is confusing. Did the players capitulate?

 

[Doctor Worm]

MLB could have struck this deal a month ago and should have had opening day on July 4th. A missed opportunity for them.

This season will not feel like real baseball. No fans in the stands. For the first 1/3 of the season, starting pitchers will barely get to 5 innings. DH in the NL. 40 man rosters with frequent substitutions. Moreover, if you get an oblique injury you are essentially done for the year. I expect Stanton to get 30 at bats before he's shutdown for 2020.

That being said, some baseball is better than no baseball.

#LetsGoMets

Sure they could have, but it would have been financially disadvantageous. Opening day on July 4 would have meant an 82 game season. Remember, this year the owners lose money on every regular season game they play. Can't make it up on volume.

 

[Morrischiano2]

Sure they could have, but it would have been financially disadvantageous. Opening day on July 4 would have meant an 82 game season. Remember, this year the owners lose money on every regular season game they play. Can't make it up on volume.

They could have started a 60-65 game season on July 4th, ahead of a fall surge.

 

[Doctor Worm]

This is confusing. Did the players capitulate?

Not at all. They held firm on their key issues:

• No revenue sharing, which is tantamount to a salary cap. Baseball is the only major sport where there is no cap.
• 100% prorated salaries.

Because they held firm, the owners had two choices: either invoke a "return to work" clause in their March agreement, or no baseball. The owners have opted for the former.

The players won the battle. Next year comes the war.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

MLB could have struck this deal a month ago and should have had opening day on July 4th. A missed opportunity for them.

This season will not feel like real baseball. No fans in the stands. For the first 1/3 of the season, starting pitchers will barely get to 5 innings. DH in the NL. 40 man rosters with frequent substitutions. Moreover, if you get an oblique injury you are essentially done for the year. I expect Stanton to get 30 at bats before he's shutdown for 2020.

That being said, some baseball is better than no baseball.

#LetsGoMets

Baseball is really stupid to allow this to go on this long. It’s fan base is getting smaller and it’s already older than the other sports. Nevertheless, it will be better than turning on the tv and seeing non-objective newscasts and political nonsense 24/7...unless, of course if it’s on ESPN, and then you will still get garbage. I won’t mind watching Keith, Ron, and Gary every day again.

 

[T2Kplus10]

Not at all. They held firm on their key issues:

• No revenue sharing, which is tantamount to a salary cap. Baseball is the only major sport where there is no cap.
• 100% prorated salaries.

Because they held firm, the owners had two choices: either invoke a "return to work" clause in their March agreement, or no baseball. The owners have opted for the former.

The players won the battle. Next year comes the war.

Players lost the public and lost the war. The fear of a salary cap is asinine. The #1 and #2 sports in the country are doing just fine with a cap. It's not the owners fault that the players unwisely chose Tony Clark to lead the last CBA negotiations and got crushed.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

Meh.

The players really look awful and lost public support during their tantrums. This does not bode well for the next CBA negotiations after the 2021 season.

I think it goes both ways. The owners let slip a new deal with TNT/TBS for a billion dollars for next year all the while crying lost money. Another article said the owners would save money if this season was cut altogether or reduced.

What we have is billionaires fighting millionaires. :Laughing
except for the Coupons... I mean Wilpons.

 

[WhiteBus]

This is confusing. Did the players capitulate?

No. This was part of the deal made March. They were paid for a time and agreed that Manfried could set a date.

 

[Ronnie_B]

They should just go entirely with scab rosters for the season. The fans would love it. Nobody would have any idea if their team was good or not before the season starts. Every team would have a legit shot at a World Series.

As a fan, why would I love to watch scab baseball?

 

[WhiteBus]

As a fan, why would I love to watch scab baseball?

Don't bother with him. Just trolling us. He misses the CE Board.

 

[Chuck1in1]

Not at all. They held firm on their key issues:

• No revenue sharing, which is tantamount to a salary cap. Baseball is the only major sport where there is no cap.
• 100% prorated salaries.

Because they held firm, the owners had two choices: either invoke a "return to work" clause in their March agreement, or no baseball. The owners have opted for the former.

The players won the battle. Next year comes the war.

The key issue is that by forcing MLB to set terms the players will play but also sue the owners for breaching the March agreement. Who won and who lost this round will depend on the outcome of that suit.

 

[IMARUFAN]

Another name for "scab baseball" is triple-A baseball. If that floats anyone's boat, have at it.

Meanwhile, I'll settle for watching Aaron Judge, Glyber Torres, Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner.

 

[RUhasarrived]

Should the 2021 schedule be the same as was the hoped for 2020 one?It certainly would make the schedule makers and traveling secretaries jobs much easier.

As far as the one drawn up for this botched abortion,who cares?I'm not going to chart this season-and won't count it all for system purposes-and I'm guessing that betting will be reduced dramatically as opposed to the old normal of 2019.

 

[Doctor Worm]

USA Today is reporting that for 2020 only, there will be an "extra innings" clause where each team begins each extra inning with a runner on second. Designed to cut down on marathon games, since players won't be in top condition for them.

It's also been reported that for any doubleheaders, both games will each be seven innings. That's common in the minors and I do like that proposal.

 

[Doctor Worm]

Should the 2021 schedule be the same as was the hoped for 2020 one?It certainly would make the schedule makers and traveling secretaries jobs much easier.

As far as the one drawn up for this botched abortion,who cares?I'm not going to chart this season-and won't count it all for system purposes-and I'm guessing that betting will be reduced dramatically as opposed to the old normal of 2019.

No, the schedule will be tailored to minimize travel. Don't expect any east coast teams to venture west of the Mississippi. Maybe not even west of the Appalachians!

 

[Abro1975]

"The players effectively decided the right to challenge the owners with a grievance that they did not bargain in good faith was more valuable than those benefits. The players could claim about $1 billion in damages on games lost.'

Good article today from SI's Tom Verducci:

https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/06/23/rob-manfred-baseball-owners-players-dispute

 

[WhiteBus]

The key issue is that by forcing MLB to set terms the players will play but also sue the owners for breaching the March agreement. Who won and who lost this round will depend on the outcome of that suit.

How did the players lose? There is no breach of the March agreement. Just last week Tony Clark made is famous statement "just tell us where and when" and many players followed suit. So now they have been told where and when. It's time for the players to shut up and show up.

 

[Doctor Worm]

"The players effectively decided the right to challenge the owners with a grievance that they did not bargain in good faith was more valuable than those benefits. The players could claim about $1 billion in damages on games lost.'

Good article today from SI's Tom Verducci:

https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/06/23/rob-manfred-baseball-owners-players-dispute

Verducci's thesis is that there are no winners in this dispute, only losers. But he sure makes it sound like the players got what they wanted. Whether it turns out to be a Pyrrhic victory is something that will only be known in time.

 

[sunsetregret]

As a fan, why would I love to watch scab baseball?

Because if you're a fan of one of the 25 teams that have a 0.0% chance of winning the World Series, completely new rosters of unknowns gives you a chance at winning.

 

[Ronnie_B]

Because if you're a fan of one of the 25 teams that have a 0.0% chance of winning the World Series, completely new rosters of unknowns gives you a chance at winning.

There is no MLB team at present that has a 0.0% chance of winning in this format, any team can get hot at the beginning (like many bad teams in the past have done) to ensure they make the playoffs, then anything can happen.

 

[Chuck1in1]

How did the players lose? There is no breach of the March agreement. Just last week Tony Clark made is famous statement "just tell us where and when" and many players followed suit. So now they have been told where and when. It's time for the players to shut up and show up.

The March letter contained a clause saying players would be paid a prorated salary for games played but would negotiate in good faith further compensation reductions if games were played without fans. MLB says the union violated this clause.

Conversely, MLB agreed to set the number of games as high as possible. The union says MLB violated this clause.

 

[Rhuarc]

Nothing like nuking the future of your sport for some cash today. There's plenty of blame to go around and most of it starts with Tony Clark and a the rest can go go to Manfred and the owners.

How tone deaf can one be when both sides are fighting over money during one of the biggest financial and health crisis of all time? People are going to tell them to stick it up their asses when it comes to ticket prices gear and whatever else gets raised in price to compensate for what they lose. Good for them.

 

[Terry_2426]

Meh.

The players really look awful and lost public support during their tantrums. This does not bode well for the next CBA negotiations after the 2021 season.

No one looks great but the owners look worse than the players in the eyes of the public after the past 2 weeks. The owners never had any intention of trying to legitimately negotiate anything and cried poor the entire way.

 

[RUScrew85]

USA Today is reporting that for 2020 only, there will be an "extra innings" clause where each team begins each extra inning with a runner on second. Designed to cut down on marathon games, since players won't be in top condition for them.

It's also been reported that for any doubleheaders, both games will each be seven innings. That's common in the minors and I do like that proposal.

LOL. Baseball players aren't in top condition ever.

 

[Knight Shift]

LOL. Baseball players aren't in top condition ever.

Now way! Bartolo Colon!

 

[RUPsyched]

Because if you're a fan of one of the 25 teams that have a 0.0% chance of winning the World Series, completely new rosters of unknowns gives you a chance at winning.

It also means that the Miami Marlins could field their current team(AA & AAA talent) and maybe, just maybe, not be in last place. :Unhappy:

 

[BigEastPhil]

It ll be good to have sports back but whoever wins the world series will be a tainted champion.

If anything, there should be an expanded playoffs and I’m surprised players rejected this option.

Matbe it’ll be a Marlins - Orioles World Series.

 

[czxqa]

They should just go entirely with scab rosters for the season. The fans would love it. Nobody would have any idea if their team was good or not before the season starts. Every team would have a legit shot at a World Series.

The owners tried that in 95. They couldn't even get out of spring training, the play was so bad. And minor leaguers who crossed the picket line, like Cory Lidle and Kevin Millar, were banned from the union for life. No pension, no benefits, no merchandise, nothing. No way the owners go down that road again.

 

[WhiteBus]

The owners tried that in 95. They couldn't even get out of spring training, the play was so bad. And minor leaguers who crossed the picket line, like Cory Lidle and Kevin Millar, were banned from the union for life. No pension, no benefits, no merchandise, nothing. No way the owners go down that road again.

Players agreed it's over. It was really a stupid comment!

 

[czxqa]

MLB could have struck this deal a month ago and should have had opening day on July 4th. A missed opportunity for them.

This season will not feel like real baseball. No fans in the stands. For the first 1/3 of the season, starting pitchers will barely get to 5 innings. DH in the NL. 40 man rosters with frequent substitutions. Moreover, if you get an oblique injury you are essentially done for the year. I expect Stanton to get 30 at bats before he's shutdown for 2020.

That being said, some baseball is better than no baseball.

#LetsGoMets

A month ago, they would have had to do 30 more games. The owners never had any intention of playing any more than 60 games unless the players took a massive pay cut. This entire dance was designed to waste enough time so Manfred could implement a 60 game schedule and blame the shortness of the season on the "intractable players".

 

[czxqa]

Players agreed it's over. It was really a stupid comment!

Great news. I'll be so happy to watch games again

 

[Abro1975]

A month ago, they would have had to do 30 more games. The owners never had any intention of playing any more than 60 games unless the players took a massive pay cut. This entire dance was designed to waste enough time so Manfred could implement a 60 game schedule and blame the shortness of the season on the "intractable players".

This is why the Owners will lose in Mediation once again. Or make a settlement offer before it gets that far.

 

[WhiteBus]

This is why the Owners will lose in Mediation once again. Or make a settlement offer before it gets that far.

By accepting the mandate there will be no successful mediation. They had until 5pm to accept or not. It's over. Time to move on.