Players reject MLB’s proposal, full 162-game season set to start on time

The MLBPA released a statement Monday night that the players are renewing their commitment to playing a full season and have rejected the proposal they received from MLB.

SNY’s Andy Martino reported over the weekend that an agreement between the two sides was unlikely due to a lack of trust between the two sides — especially after the battle they had last season.

The leagues proposal included a 154-game season due to start a month later than the usual start time, full prorated salaries for the players, a universal DH and an expanded postseason.

MLB released a statement of its own after the MLBPA’s came out.

“On the advice of medical experts, we proposed a one-month delay to the start of Spring Training and the regular season to better protect the health and safety of players and support staff. A delay of the season would allow for the level of COVID-19 infection rates to decrease and additional time for the distribution of vaccinations, as well as minimizing potential disruptions to the 2021 season that currently face all sports.

“The offer included starting the regular season on April 29th and playing a 154-game schedule that would pay players in full as if playing 162 games. We also proposed two changes from the 2020 season that were overwhelmingly popular with our fans – for this season only, featuring a modified expanded Postseason (seven teams per League) and the universal designated hitter rule.

“This was a good deal that reflected the best interests of everyone involved in the sport by merely moving the calendar of the season back one month for health and safety reasons without impacting any rights either the players or the Clubs currently have under the Basic Agreement or Uniform Player’s Contract for pay and service time.

“In light of the MLBPA’s rejection of our proposal, and their refusal to counter our revised offer this afternoon, we are moving forward and instructing our Clubs to report for an on-time start to Spring Training and the Championship Season, subject to reaching an agreement on health and safety protocols. Our 2020 season taught us that when the nation faces crisis, the national game is as important as ever, and there is nothing better than playing ball. We were able to complete a 2020 season through Herculean efforts and sacrifices made by our players, Club staff and MLB staff to protect one another. We will do so again, together, as we work towards playing another safe and entertaining season in 2021.”

Spring Training is scheduled to start on Feb. 17 and Opening Day is set for April 1.