According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, Major League Baseball has made a new proposal to the MLB Players Association regarding the 2021 season and the ongoing battle to control the spread of COVID-19 and provide players and staff with a safe environment to return to at work.
For Brown, the league on Friday “proposed to the union a 154-match schedule with full pay, delayed by a month and extended by a week,” adding that the previously debated issue of the extended postseason game was included in the proposal. .
According to reports, the union is reflecting on the offer.
Last week, the Arizona Cactus League sent a letter to the MLB stating its concerns regarding a marked increase in COVID cases across the region, coinciding with the start of spring training camps with based in Arizona in mid-February and advising a delay in the opening of camps.
The letter, according to reports, was acquired by MLB himself (Alex Coffey, Athletic) in an attempt to delay the season until fans could safely attend, while increasing revenue he met with hesitation of the MLBPA on the inability of the league to make these calls unilaterally, also noting that “MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for a timely start.”
Between a secure schedule and the still undecided fate of the universal designated batter, much remains to be dodged before pitchers and catchers show up for spring training.
We will keep you up to date.
