Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Braves fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
Major League Baseball appears set to return but not everyone is happy with the results. This week’s SB Nation Reacts survey centered on the league’s implemented 60-game schedule and the fall out over the messy negotiations between the league and the players.
We get right to it with the first question asking voters if they are happy with MLB’s 60-game regular season. Only 47 percent answered yes. While it was clear early on that the 2020 season would likely have to be shortened, both sides wasted a lot of time in the negotiations. The players showed a willingness to try and play more games but were pretty much shut down by the owners.
Next up was who is to blame for the ugly labor negotiations. I am pleased to report that 68 percent of voters blame the owners. That number probably should be higher but the league was pretty successful in playing things out through the media and often made the union look bad in the process. All of this is just a precursor to what we are going to likely see when the current CBA expires in December, 2021.
This was a pretty grim question. We now have a 60-game regular season that is supposed to start on July 23 and 24. Will MLB be able to finish the season? Fifty-nine percent of the voters answered no and given the recent spike in Covid-19 cases around the country, it is hard to argue.
I have to admit this next question is one that I have gone back and forth on a lot over the last month. Only 53 percent of fans think it is a good idea to play out the 2020 season at all. In some regards I think it is important to make every effort to have some sort of season but only if they can keep everyone safe. It is getting harder to see how they are going to be able to accomplish that.
The ugly negotiations between the league and the players haven’t done commissioner Rob Manfred any favors. Sixty-five percent of our voters think Manfred is the worst commissioner in sports. Honestly, I am a little surprised that the number wasn’t higher.
That is it for this week. Let us know what you think in the comments below. If you want to take part in future SB Nation Reacts surveys, then head over to this link and get signed up.