“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix,” Manfred said in a statement. “We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”
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Jon Heyman, of the MLB Network, reported Wednesday the owners and players were closing in on an agreement, though Jeff Passan, of ESPN, reported, "There is no agreement between MLB and the MLBPA. MLB knows players must get full pro rata. League wants players to waive right to grieve. Expanded playoffs a part of this. Number of games is vital. Other issues, too. There is work to be done. But a pathway to a deal does exist."
Evan Drellich, of The Athletic, reported, "Source says no deal is close yet between MLB and MLBPA beccause the proposal was just sent by MLB. No agreement even in principle at this point."
According to Ken Rosenthal, of FOX, the proposal includes a 60-game season played in 70 days with a start date of July 19-20, full prorated salaries, expanded playoffs in 2020 and 2021 and the waiving of any potential grievance.
The situation did not look good last weekend for the 2020 season when the players rejected the latest proposal by the owners and each side released statements critical of the other.
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