Players counter with 70-game proposal

The owners proposed 60 games, and the players want 70.

The gap is much to big to satisfy the owners.

There are lots of other things at play in negotiations between Major League Baseball’s owners and players trying to reach an agreement that would start a season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, though, a day after the league proposed a 60-game season following commissioner Rob Manfred’s first actual sit-down with union executive director Tony Clark, the union proposed a package that included 70 games.

The 10-game gap is significant, with owners sources telling USA Today the proposal would be swiftly rejected.

“We delivered to Major League Baseball today a counterproposal based on a 70-game regular season which, among a number of issues, includes expanded playoffs for both 2020 and 2021,” Clark said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “We believe this offer represents the basis for an agreement on resumption of play.”

Manfred said Wednesday that he reached the framework of a deal on 60 games with full prorated pay for players. The union’s counter-proposal also included $50 million in postseason revenue along with $33 million in upfront money players received before May 24, USA Today reported.

The sides are 10 games and $275 million apart.

As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history.

Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management.

Players said pitchers and catchers should report for the resumption of spring training on June 26, followed two days later by position players.

Both sides would expand use of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams, and both sides would expand the playoffs to 16 teams this year.

Contributing: Associated Press