Breaking down what we know about baseball’s return

Baseball is coming back, but when will the 2020 MLB season start, how many games will there be and what else do we know about how the season will take place?

What don’t we know?

There’s still a lot to be decided, with some things yet to be agreed upon.

The latest: Tuesday evening, the players agreed with MLB on a health and safety protocol, according to ESPN.com, which is an important final step necessary to get a schedule going.

Here’s what we know:

What do we know? What happens now?

Spring training is expected to begin on July 1 as long as the players agree to report to camps and are OK with the health and safety protocols put forth by the league.

Are health and safety protocols finalized?

Last we heard, ESPN reported the players were expected to be OK with most of the league’s initial protocols, which were thorough and intense, provoking us to wonder just how possible it would be to actually enforce them. On the idea of using a wet rag instead of licking their fingers before pitching, a wrinkle reported by MassLive.com. Brewers lefty Brett Anderson tweeted, “Wet rag is laughable.”

When is Opening Day?

July 24 is the tentative date.

How many games?

The regular season is expected to be 60 games, down from the original 114-game season the players requested and the 82-game season the owners originally offered (albeit at a tiered salary structure).

How much will the players make?

The players will receive prorated pay, as agreed upon in March. Because 60 games represents 37% of the season, players will make 37% of their salaries. But many players will be playing for almost nothing considering MLB already paid players an advance of their salary when the season was canceled. USA Today reports 19% of the players will make $24,000 to play this season.

When are the playoffs?

Owners do not want to push for the playoffs past October. Why? They say it’s to protect player health, but given the players were OK playing through November, the real reasons are expected to be financial. MLB wants to maximize postseason advertising revenue, which would obviously be more lucrative before the presidential election.

Will there be expanded playoffs?

Not this year. The owners really wanted to push the format from 10 teams to 16 teams this year. The players agreed to it early in the negotiations. But because the two sides could not come to a formal agreement, leaving Commissioner Rob Manfred to implement a schedule at the previously negotiated terms, the owners lost the right to expand the playoff format.

What else did the owners lose?

Other concessions the owners would’ve received in an agreement but will not lose include broadcast enhancements and sponsorship logos on jerseys, which were expected to net them more than $8 million per year.

Why did they give all this up?

In the end, if each team was willing to pay $4 million more in total player salaries, we could’ve had an agreement. Both sides were wary of giving up much given the looming collective bargaining negotiations coming next winter.

What did the players lose?

The players gave up some forgiveness of previous salary advances, a guaranteed playoff pool of $25 million (they’ll instead get a portion of their typical gate receipts, if there are any) and the elimination of the qualifying offer.

What happens to free agents at year’s end?

Free agents will be treated normally, though the market is expected to be suppressed.

What happens if someone gets sick?

We’ll find out.

Can players choose not to play?

Absolutely. Those at high risk of the coronavirus can skip the season and still be paid and given service time. Others are not expected to earn salaries if they pass on playing.

Will minor leaguers participate? 

There will be no minor league season.

What don’t we know?

What’s the deal with the universal DH?

The players lost the right to a universal designated hitter in 2020 and 2021, which would’ve created 15 new jobs in the National League, when they couldn’t come to an agreement. It still might happen in 2020 as part of the health and safety protocols to help keep pitchers safe.

Where will games be played?

This we also don’t know. The regional plan was expected, meaning teams in the East would only play other teams in the East, including interleague games, and vice-versa. But The Wall Street Journal reported that due to the current spike in coronavirus cases at spring training homes, the “bubble plan” is again under consideration.

How will stats be affected? 

We’ll always say something like, “he owns the best ERA in MLB history, except for the COVID season.” Historical stats are unlikely to be affected since those are usually based off 162-game seasons.

Can teams make transactions? If so, when?

There’s been a transaction hold but that’s expected to be released once a plan is finalized.

How many players will join camps?

According to MassLive.com, MLB teams can have 30-man Opening Day rosters and 60 total players eligible for the season. Those who don’t make the Opening Day roster will be on a taxi squad, and the rosters will shrink to 26 players as the season continues.

How will they settle extra innings? 

There’s been rumors that the man on second base will take place to begin extra innings, but that has yet to be finalized.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2YYtGSG