It appears both the MLB owners and players are digging in.
Since negotiations between the two started on May 12, the MLB owners and players’ union have been unable to reach an agreement for a shortened 2020 season.
The last week has been loaded with controversy, frustration and uncertainty as the sport continues to try and create a plan to jumpstart its season.
Player safety and compensation are the two biggest hurdles preventing the two sides from coming to an agreement. Players already agreed to prorated salaries in March, and appear unwilling to re-negotiation their pay scale for the 2020 season, despite the circumstances.
Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer recently voiced his opinion on the subject, saying:
“After discussing the latest developments with the rest of the players there’s no reason to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions,” Scherzer tweeted. “We have previously negotiated a pay cut in the version of prorated salaries, and there’s no justification to accept a 2nd pay cut based upon the current information the union has received. I’m glad to hear other players voicing the same viewpoint and believe MLB’s economic strategy would completely change if all documentation were to become public information.”
Scherzer is one of the best pitchers in the game, and his words echo that of many players around the sport.
For the latest installment of the 20th and Blake podcast, resident Rockies’ reporter Aniello Piro dishes out his take about the state of the game.
Click here – or listen below – and be sure to rate the podcast, use the comment feature to leave any feedback, and subscribe through iTunes.