MLB Commissioner has ‘great confidence’ deal will be worked out with players

There’s a darn good chance that within the next couple months the 2020 Major League Baseball season will finally start.

Owners approved a plan for a shortened 82-game season last week amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ball is now almost literally in the players’ court.

At issue here is players being asked to take prorated salaries and a potential revenue share. The economics of the situation are complicated by the fact that the 2020 season will almost certainly be played without fans in attendance.

In an appearance on CNN Thursday evening, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that he has “great confidence” the league and players will work out a deal.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred just said on CNN said he has “great confidence” they’ll be able to work out a deal with the players union.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 15, 2020

Manfred also noted that individual players would have an ability to opt out of the season due to health concerns.

Manfred, asked if players can decline to play if they don’t feel safe, told CNN, “We hope we will be able to convince the vast majority of our players that it’s safe to return to work.” He added, if players have doubts “we would never try to force them to return to work.”

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 15, 2020

This has to be music to the ears of baseball fans the world over. The 2020 season was slated to start in late March. However, the ongoing pandemic forced MLB to join other leagues in suspending the season.

The latest plan includes teams playing games in their home ballparks with outings against other squads in their geographical areas. It could start on July 4. How sweet would that be? America’s pastime starting on the most American of holidays.