Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer who sits on the Major League Players Association negotiating board said the owners proposal to cut players salaries a second time and order to play 50 or less games is unacceptable (msn.com file photo)

MLB Commissioner “100 percent”There Will Be A Season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

During an interview with the MLB Network and also with ESPN, Commissioner Rob Manfred said is “100 percent” that a 2020 season will take place.

1-What he said: He hopes a settlement between both sides, owners and players union is reached.

2-How: Under the current rules. He would mandate a structure of the season, if both sides cannot come to an agreement. The March 26 accord gives the Commissioner the power to implement a season as long as the negotiations are in “good faith * The “good faith”part is a matter of interpretation, both sides alleged they’re negotiating in good faith.

3-Bottom Line: If these negotiations cannot come to a conclusion with an amicable agreement Manfred would implement a regular season of 48 to 50 games.

On Tuesday: The players union responded to MLB/owners plan with an 89 game season of their own. But an executive from the owners was quoted as saying “We’re nowhere” -after the players proposal was submitted. This season-proposal would have run from July 10 to October 11 with postseason into November. But MLB wants to avoid this, because(potential second COVID-19 wave)as well as new broadcast deals. Included was a $5 million fund for minor leagues players and social justice organizations.

Conclusion: Commissioner Rob Manfred is fighting the clock, if both sides run the clock and do not come to an agreement, the only feasible solution for a “season”will be for him to implement the 48 to 50 games option. Considering we are close to the middle of June(this was the time for Spring Training part two) and for season to begin on July 4, but this is now out of the question.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com