Major League Baseball took a step in the right direction after players reportedly agreed to a 60-game MLB season this 2020.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the MLBPA has agreed to report to training camps by July 1. However, it is worth noting that the deal is not yet finalized.
The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, sources tell ESPN, but deal is not finalized yet.
One last health-and-safety hurdle to get over and Major League Baseball will be back a week from tomorrow.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 23, 2020
MLB players and franchise owners have been struggling since the cancellation of spring training back in March, with questions how to proceed with playing baseball this year being the main concern.
While the NBA, NHL, NASCAR and MLS formulated proposals to return or start their seasons, the MLB has been the toughest nut to crack. Owners wanted fewer games with less salary to pay out while players sought fully prorated salaries on their deals.
Last week, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred met with MLBPA executive director Tony Clark to work out an agreement on playing the 2020 season. Some highlights included around 70 games with a designated hitter in the National League and an expanded playoff format in both 2020 and 2021. While reports surfaced after the meeting that a deal had been struck or was nearly done between the two parties, Clark and the MLBPA shut down that idea, as there are reportedly much more work to be done before agreeing to a proposal first.
With no official deal in place yet, there is still no telling whether baseball in the U.S. and Canada will happen or not. However, players will return to team training camps as both sides seek to get the ball rolling and play in 2020.
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