After a quiet Saturday of news involving the ongoing negotiations between the MLB and MLBPA, there was a bit information that emerged on Sunday although in might not be what you would call good news. ESPN’s Buster Olney called for a sense of urgency in his Sunday Notes column pointing out that not only is the 2020 season at stake, but also the future of Major League Baseball.
Unfortunately there is still a lot of ground that needs to be covered. Per Olney, the negotiating groups led by commissioner Rob Manfred and union chief Tony Clark’s relationship is one of suspicion and frustration. Olney also reports that there is a group of owners who are willing to shut down the season to reduce losses.
Sources say there is a group of owners perfectly willing to shut down the season, to slash payroll costs and reduce losses, and the disparate views among the 30 teams have been reflected in the decisions to fire and furlough.
With no real talks having taken place over the last several days, the calendar will turn to June with no deal. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that there is still hope remaining to start the season on July 4 weekend but a deal will need to be completed somewhere between June 5-9.
No evidence of progress yet in MLB/ players talk so no realistic hope to meet the “soft” deadline of tomorrow June 1 for deal. That deadline was soft for a reason, and hope remains to start season July 4 weekend — if a deal can be done by range of June 5-June 9.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 31, 2020
At this point it just feels like all we can do is hope for the best.
Atlanta Braves News
The MLB Draft is just over a week away and there has been a flurry of mock drafts over the last week. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis recently projected Miami right-hander Chris McMahon in his latest offering. Eric Longenhagen penciled in Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler for the Braves in his first mock draft of the season.
Sunday’s flashback traveled back to 2008 and an 8-7 walk-off loss to the Reds in 10 innings.
Sunday was the 14th year anniversary of the day Dayton Moore left Atlanta’s front office to become general manager of the Kansas City Royals.