MLB wants a universal DH. The players’ association wants a universal DH. These parties actually agree with something. However, there may not be a universal DH in 2021.
This is the relationship between these factions.
MLB a few weeks ago offered universal DH as part of a larger package that, among other items, again called for the playoffs to be expanded in 2021 instead. The players’ association rejected the offer. Does that mean there won’t be a DH or an extended postseason? May be.
MLB announced an agreement with the union for extended playoffs last year, a few hours before the start of the first pitch of the late season. These parties never act in essence until eleven o’clock. Sometimes the twelfth.
Expect the same when it comes to staff who will show up for spring training. The report’s data begins on February 17 in Florida and Arizona. But on Monday, officials representing the Cactus League – which hosts 15 teams in Arizona for spring training – sent a letter to MLB requesting a one-month delay in spring training. Officials wrote that the experts they consulted said they would stop opening until mid-March, significantly reducing the rate of COVID-19 infections in Maricopa County, which is currently one of the worst epicenters of the virus in the world.
Both MLB and the players’ association have made soft statements. The key behind the scenes is to know that the union sees Cactus League officials as MLB tools. The union continues to say that all other sports are played, including in Arizona; NHL with fans. The union sees all attempts to push back the season as MLB wants to cut back on games so owners can save money by not paying players. Instead, MLB sees this version of the union as doing nothing but rejecting proposals and not providing counters for further negotiations and encouraging cooperation and concession.
But here’s the thing: I think both sides know it would be smart to be a month late, allowing vaccines to reach staff by then. So shorten your spring training to four weeks, increase the lists to 28 for the first month, and play, say 145 games to stay in the October playoff window that network partners want while cutting a few games to eventually protect your arms. which were not fully extended in last year’s short season.
But I think the parties hate each other so much they could play chicks. Neither side is blinking. Everyone appears in mid-February, when the risk of contracting the virus – especially now with more contagious strains – is not only higher for players, but perhaps more vulnerable coaches, bus drivers, food preparers, etc. Players are in a dominant position where they have to agree to any changes or otherwise everything is done according to the current rules in a collective bargaining agreement that only expires after the season: players report on February 17, there is no DH in NL and a playoff of 10 teams.
I think that the parties should find compromises, make concessions, so that the sport benefits from additional playoffs, universal DH and a safer opening towards spring. In a season of 145 games, both sides can eat 8 ₂ / ₂ of salary and the pain would not be substantial. But if the parties can not compromise, then the owners should pay only 162 and play 145. Because it is suitable for play and health. Because they have a mechanism to save dollars by lowering future wages to make up for any lost this year.
Of course, in this fight no one wants to show weakness, so the chances of enduring mutual pain for mutual gain are not high. The two sides negotiated last year as if 2020 was the last season MLB would ever play – so don’t leave any money on the table. We see a repetition. They should be concerned about how much the golden goose is strangling, not only projecting such discord at a time bad for the nation, but failing to find a partnership that best positions the sport for a future when, among other things, other elements, demographics and other cutting cords threaten popularity.
The 2020 season has been problematic. He will be too. There will be no winners. See a larger image. Reverse engineer and ask both sides, what can be done in a troubled 2021 season that will set the sport in a better place in 2025?
I don’t like the possibility of this happening between two parties who can’t even agree to have a universal DH when they both want it.