So now the ball is officially in the court of Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Players Union predictably rejected baseball's 60-game season with full prorated salaries, and expanded playoffs, meaning, that Manfred must now decided if there is a season or not. The owners voted to grant Manfred the power to proceed with a season. The guess that has been reported is that it could be between 50 to 60 games.
MLB is now asking the players union to notify them by 5 p.m. Tuesday whether their members can report to Spring Training by July 1, a week from this Wednesday. And, secondly, whether the players agree to the safety protocols manual.
The question hovering around the entire prospect of having a mandated season by the Commissioner is one of two things: 1) The players could still file a grievance and there would be continued unrest throughout the summer -- even if games are played, and 2) Coronavirus. A number of players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week. Several spring training sites have been shutdown for good. Would it be permissible, and even responsible for the owners and Commissioner Rob Manfred to proceed with a checkered season while players are getting sick left and right with a very serious disease?
It is a huge question mark that hangs over the sport.
At this point fans are pretty much fed up. If there is a season, it will feel hollow at best -- especially with no fans in the stadium, a deadly virus spreading across state borders, and tense labor unrest hanging over both sides.
Maybe, just maybe, baseball is better off cancelling the 2020 season.
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