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2020 Off-Season Rumors/News

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In other sports you hear people talking about missing the fans, and wanting to get back to playing for the fans even if they can't watch in person. I haven't heard much if any of this from baseball. They're killing the goose...... and with what's happening at the minor league level also the chics that lay the golden egg. It's like they don't even realize it because they're too focused on their today money.
 
In other sports you hear people talking about missing the fans, and wanting to get back to playing for the fans even if they can't watch in person. I haven't heard much if any of this from baseball. They're killing the goose...... and with what's happening at the minor league level also the chics that lay the golden egg. It's like they don't even realize it because they're too focused on their today money.
The MLB is in such a drastically different situation than the other sports leagues. They're losing (approx) half their season entirely and whatever season they do have will have no fans at all.

The NBA/NHL still played 75% of their regular season with fans in the stands and already had a negotiated agreement for player salaries to be tied to league revenue. Plus, they play half as many games with half as much capacity in their arenas.

Ultimately, the system in place in the MLB that we already knew sucked is the crux of the issue. The system is not player-friendly and it fosters distrust between the MLPA and the owners.
 
Ultimately, the system in place in the MLB that we already knew sucked is the crux of the issue. The system is not player-friendly and it fosters distrust between the MLPA and the owners.
I agree that the system in place is a big part of the issue, but I have a hard time believing it is not player-friendly. The NFL and NBA player unions would love to have no salary caps and mostly all guaranteed contracts. The MLB players union has stuck together and chipped away at the owners at every turn for decades.
 
I agree that the system in place is a big part of the issue, but I have a hard time believing it is not player-friendly. The NFL and NBA player unions would love to have no salary caps and mostly all guaranteed contracts. The MLB players union has stuck together and chipped away at the owners at every turn for decades.
No cap just helps the top guys though, it hurts many others because the money gets all used up on the superstars. We've seen it the last few off-seasons with solid players going unsigned.

Plus, guys have to play for pennies in the minors for years before making it to the majors to make near the league minimum for a few more years regardless of your performance. Fair or not, it fosters resentment so much so that when guys finally get paid they're going to fight to hold onto it. Love for the game wasn't the only reason Kyler Murray chose football.
 
No cap just helps the top guys though, it hurts many others because the money gets all used up on the superstars. We've seen it the last few off-seasons with solid players going unsigned.

Plus, guys have to play for pennies in the minors for years before making it to the majors to make near the league minimum for a few more years regardless of your performance. Fair or not, it fosters resentment so much so that when guys finally get paid they're going to fight to hold onto it. Love for the game wasn't the only reason Kyler Murray chose football.
All this makes the owner's proposal seem pretty shrewd as there are many more at the bottom of the payscale than at the apex. I doubt the agents will let it get to a vote though, just ask Trevor.
 
All this makes the owner's proposal seem pretty shrewd as there are many more at the bottom of the payscale than at the apex. I doubt the agents will let it get to a vote though, just ask Trevor.
I had not considered that angle. I have actually been thinking the opposite.

I believe that players like Shane Bieber who were slated to make $623,200 and have already had that cut in half to $311,600 would be even less inclined to take a pay cut than guys who would still be making millions.

I appreciate the new perspective though.
 
Getting your pay cut in half isn't really a cut at all since you're only playing half the schedule. They would still be making the same salary on a per game basis.

Now the owners are asking the players to take less money per game. For somebody like Bieber it's not much at all.

The March 26 agreement reduced Bieber’s contract to $315,466. Tuesday’s proposal would drop it to $274,438.


Bieber would only be losing $41,000. But Mike Trout OTOH would lose about $10 million.

The highest-paid MLB players would take the biggest cuts under the proposal. Players earning $35 million for 2020 would receive $7,843,363.

The $17.5 million for playing half a season under the March agreement would be cut by almost $10 million. To me it's only fair that the highest earners take the biggest hits. They still end up making a ridiculous amount considering they're playing a half season.

The players' position is they should be paid as if the owners were selling tickets, concessions and merchandise even though they won't be. I think that's not realistic. The players want the owners to eat 100% of the lost revenue for playing in front of empty seats. Their argument is the owners made huge profits in recent years so they should basically donate some of that money to the players so nobody has to play for less on a per game basis.

I'm not sure some teams, like the Indians, made huge profits in recent years. I also feel it's only fair that both the players and owners share the financial losses since it's not either of their fault. It's fair that the players with the biggest contracts take the biggest reductions. I don't have a problem with Lindor and Santana playing for only $4.6 million if Bieber is getting $274K. I wouldn't expect Bieber to play half a season for $100K but I could easily see Lindor and Santana playing for $6,000 per inning.

The owners should tell the union that this is the deal, take it or leave it. Any player who doesn't want to take this deal is free to sit out the season with no consequences and his spot will be taken by a minor league player. IOW, if Santana won't play 82 games for $4.6 million then Bobby Bradley gets a shot at playing every day.
 
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Getting your pay cut in half isn't really a cut at all since you're only playing half the schedule. They would still be making the same salary on a per game basis.

Now the owners are asking the players to take less money per game. For somebody like Bieber it's not much at all.

The March 26 agreement reduced Bieber’s contract to $315,466. Tuesday’s proposal would drop it to $274,438.


Bieber would only be losing $41,000. But Mike Trout OTOH would lose about $10 million.

The highest-paid MLB players would take the biggest cuts under the proposal. Players earning $35 million for 2020 would receive $7,843,363.

The $17.5 million for playing half a season under the March agreement would be cut almost $10 million. To me it's only fair that the highest earners take the biggest hits. They still end up making a ridiculous amount considering they're playing a half season.

The players' position is they should be paid as if the owners were selling tickets, concessions and merchandise even though they won't be. I think that's not realistic. The players want the owners to eat 100% of the lost revenue for playing in front of empty seats. Their argument is the owners made huge profits in recent years so they should basically donate some of that money to the players so nobody has to play for less on a per game basis.

I'm not sure some teams, like the Indians, made huge profits in recent years. I also feel it's only fair that both the players and owners share the financial losses since it's not either of their fault. It's fair that the players with the biggest contracts take the biggest reductions. I don't have a problem with Lindor and Santana playing for only $4.6 million if Bieber is getting $274K.
I wouldn't say that's accurate at all. They are sharing the losses.

Taking the prorated salaries is already helping the owners with the lost revenue for half the season, so the weight is certainly not being put squarely on the owner's shoulders. You can argue the percentage, but more should fall on the owners. That's the risk you assume when you're an owner.

As I said before, I see the other side of the argument now (that players making less would be more inclined to take a pay cut) but I still believe the opposite. Those players are likely much more reliant on their salaries than those making millions. They haven't had the opportunity to bank as much money in their short careers. So, while you see them losing out on $40k, and think that might not be much. It's still significant money to them
 
If you defend your profits because you're the one taking the risk, then you should shoulder the losses when risk impacts your sport.

Otherwise, there's no defense to the fact that you're exploiting your labor (not just players) for your own profit.

The MLBPA reducing salaries based on number of games played is already a reasonable half-way meeting.
 
We need to get baseball back! Corona, the nasty protests of late, etc are good enough reasons to get baseball on TV! Why does it feel like in 94 the Indians could have won it all, and i thought this 2020 team could have won it all. Why is Cleveland cursed
 
Great column in The Athletic about why the two sides need to reach an agreement.


I’ve asked lots of people in baseball lately to compare that outcome [canceling the season] to canceling the World Series in 1994. Every one of them has had the same response:

“Oh, this would be worse. Much worse.”

At least what happened in 1994 didn’t happen in the middle of a pandemic. It didn’t happen at a time when 41 million Americans were out of work. It didn’t happen in a country that was still grappling with basic human questions like: Is it safe to go to the grocery store?

.....Just imagine what’s possible if baseball can be the first major team sport to make it back. It feels like a dream now to even think about it...

Now picture the ratings and the meaning of watching those games if there are no other live games to compete with them. Wow. What a unique chance to remind millions of people what a fun sport this can be. What a perfect showcase to remind them how many magnetic players are now playing it. What great theater baseball could create if a shortened season heightens the urgency of every big moment.

How can either side lose touch with that opportunity and all it could mean— for America and for baseball? If that becomes an opportunity lost, everyone responsible will regret it for the rest of their lives....

When you disappear off the face of the sporting earth for a year and a half, you’re just inviting people to go do something else, watch something else, care about something else. Many of those people never find their way back. Why should they? Why would they?

...If baseball and the other sports have their plans changed by an outbreak of this virus, most fans would no doubt understand. But if the only obstacle standing in the way of playing is dollars? Hoo boy. Good luck explaining that away....

Really now, there is only one choice. And now is the time to make it. I’m appointing myself to speak for every living baseball fan when I say: Do not keep careening down this road!

Just remind yourself that you’re not just saving a season. You’re saving your sport.
 
If you defend your profits because you're the one taking the risk, then you should shoulder the losses when risk impacts your sport.

Otherwise, there's no defense to the fact that you're exploiting your labor (not just players) for your own profit.

The MLBPA reducing salaries based on number of games played is already a reasonable half-way meeting.
If your going to lose more playing then vs canceling the season, then the smart play is canceling the season. Which hurts the players more. That’s why the players need to step up.
 
My biggest fear is that whether the season is cancelled or not the Indians will lose so much money that Dolan will be forced to trade Lindor, Santana, Carrasco, and Hand.

Santana has a club option for $17.5 million, Carrasco will get $12 million and Hand $10 million in 2021. Lindor gets arbitration so put him down for the $17.5 million he would have received this season. We would also lose Cesar Hernandez. That adds up to a $63 million reduction in payroll. It also means we have little to no chance of going to the World Series in 2021.

This year was the best opportunity, especially since the delay gave Clevinger and Naquin the time to be fully ready to go when and if the season starts. I hope the Indians get their shot.
 
If your going to lose more playing then vs canceling the season, then the smart play is canceling the season. Which hurts the players more. That’s why the players need to step up.
Both players and owners need to step up for the long term benefit of the sport. How will fans feel about players like Lindor refusing to play half a season for $4.6 million with 41 million people out of work? In 2018 Lindor played the entire season for $623,000.

The players and owners need each other. It's a partnership. The players don't own the franchises but they have a major interest in how popular the sport is. The more fans, the more money for everybody. This is no time to be short-sighted and potentially kill off customers for the short term money.
 
Both players and owners need to step up for the long term benefit of the sport. How will fans feel about players like Lindor refusing to play half a season for $4.6 million with 41 million people out of work? In 2018 Lindor played the entire season for $623,000.

The players and owners need each other. It's a partnership. The players don't own the franchises but they have a major interest in how popular the sport is. The more fans, the more money for everybody. This is no time to be short-sighted and potentially kill off customers for the short term money.
I agree that’s why both sides need to work together. The players don’t seem to want to make it work.
 

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