There was plenty of news on Thursday as the wheels slowly started to turn again on a potential 2020 regular season for Major League Baseball. The Players Association officially sent its response to MLB’s health/safety proposal on Thursday according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. The response was wide ranging according to Sherman.
2/ •testing frequency
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 21, 2025
•protocols for positive tests
•in stadium medical personnel
•protections for high risk players and family
•access to pre and postgame therapies
•sanitization protocols
On testing, MLB’s proposal called for players and staff being tested multiple times per week, the players are seeking daily testing which would allow more comfort and fewer restrictions within the clubhouse and ballpark. The players are also looking for the lifting of bans on hydrotherapy pools which are a key part of preparation and therapy for many teams.
In conversations with players and agents heard players were hoping -- among many other things -- to get restrictions lifted on showering at stadiums, especially b4 going on road. And bans on items such as hydrotherapy pools that help with preparation/recovery.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 21, 2025
Players also want test volume increased. Daily would be best to allow even greater comfort/fewer restrictions within clubhouse/ballpark. Question will be if MLB can get enough tests without depleting from what is publicly needed to make that happen.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 21, 2025
While many today saw today’s response as a positive step in negotiations with the league, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman obtained a memo from the union sent to the players which sounds much more ominous.
The players union memo, which was obtained here, begins thusly (and ominously) ... “As MLB misinformation continues to be pushed out through the media and various club personnel, we wanted to provide some straightforward facts for player reference ...” (cont for their facts)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 21, 2025
The players union memo lists these as facts: 1) they are committed to getting an agreement but no deal or MLB proposal yet 2) no date has been set to resume spring 3) the union will provide time to arrange accommodations 4) MLB hasn’t responded to March 13 request for $ documents
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 21, 2025
There are still plenty of details that must be worked out before they can even get to what will likely be the most contentious part of salary discussions. Still, it is appropriate that both sides chose to work through the health and safety aspects first which should take precedence in any discussion about a potential 2020 season.
Some clubs weighing pay cuts/furloughs for staff
The Associated Press reported Thursday evening that two MLB clubs will be trimming payrolls through salary cuts or furloughs. The Chicago Cubs are instituting pay cuts but no furloughs through the end of June. The Pittsburgh Pirates are instituting furloughs for several employees in business operations through June 1. The Los Angeles Angels also furloughed a significant portion of their baseball-ops staff earlier this week.
However, several teams are stepping up to the plate and keeping their employees at their full salaries through at least the end of June.
As teams around baseball weigh pay cuts, the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals have proven themselves model organizations in how they treat their employees. Both have committed to keeping their full staffs on at full pay through at least the end of June, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 21, 2025
Earlier this month, #Phillies committed to keeping all employees through October. #Tigers told employees they will continue receiving their full salaries and benefits without setting a specific end date. #Rockies also committed to paying their employees for as long as possible. https://t.co/40hAPmm0DY
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 21, 2025
It will be interesting to see where the Braves and Liberty Media fall on this spectrum. They had previously committed to pay employees through the end of May.
Braves News
Cory McCartney took a closer look at the life and career of Braves Hall of Fame third baseman Eddie Matthews in this week’s Starting Nine column.
Neil Paine of FiveThirtyEight reminds all Braves fans of something that they already knew. Andruw Jones is one of, if not the best defensive outfielder of all time.
Our prep work for the 2020 MLB Draft continued with a look at the best first base draft eligible prospects which is headlined by likely top pick Spencer Torkelson.
MLB News
More bad news for Rays pitching prospect Brent Honeywell. The team announced on Thursday that Honeywell underwent a decompression procedure on his right ulnar nerve on Wednesday. Honeywell underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2018 and saw his 2019 season cut short after he suffered a fractured bone in his elbow while working his way back.
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