It is May 28th and Covid-19 is still an issue. Baseball in the United States is still a possibility. But, as the days pass, it is starting to seem more unlikely. The players and the owners can not come to an agreement on a fair salary.
Players and owners had come to terms regarding a pay cut shortly after spring training was put on hold. Now owners want the players to take a larger pay cut. At the point of the first agreement I believe the owners and players had thought that baseball would be played in front of fans in the stadium.
But, now that is more unlikely. With no revenue coming in from ticket prices, concessions, etc. The owners want the players to take a larger pay cut. Alot of players do not want to take a larger pay cut, while other players are concerned about Covid-19. Players will be required to leave there families for a long period of time.
Rumors have been swirling around that even if the Big League games are played there will not be a minor league season.
Before Covid was a problem minor league contraction was proposed. 40 or so minor league teams would be eliminated. Rookie and Short Season leagues would be eliminated and some small number of AA and AAA teams would also be eliminated. While a handful of Short Season teams would move up in the ranks and a couple of Indy League teams would become affiliated teams.
Teams up to this point were still paying there minor leaguers. But, now with the strong possibility of no minor league season and minor league contraction happening in 2021, teams have started to release players. Cuts are typical at the end of spring training every year. But, the numbers of released players are much greater than normal.
Today the Mets cut 39 minor league players. I believe 3 other teams made a similar number of cuts as well.
Reports are saying that 1000 players by the end of the week will have been released.
Many of these players may never play professional baseball again. Covid may make things more difficult for these players to find jobs in 2021.
When the first reports of contraction surfaced, word was that a new indy league would be made up of a short number of the 40 teams that were part of contraction.
But, now with Covid this may be more difficult. Reports also say some of the remaining affiliated teams may not be able to survive in order to take part of the 2021 season.
Baseball in many ways will never be the same.
Thank You for Reading, Stay Safe and Healthy
Players and owners had come to terms regarding a pay cut shortly after spring training was put on hold. Now owners want the players to take a larger pay cut. At the point of the first agreement I believe the owners and players had thought that baseball would be played in front of fans in the stadium.
But, now that is more unlikely. With no revenue coming in from ticket prices, concessions, etc. The owners want the players to take a larger pay cut. Alot of players do not want to take a larger pay cut, while other players are concerned about Covid-19. Players will be required to leave there families for a long period of time.
Rumors have been swirling around that even if the Big League games are played there will not be a minor league season.
Before Covid was a problem minor league contraction was proposed. 40 or so minor league teams would be eliminated. Rookie and Short Season leagues would be eliminated and some small number of AA and AAA teams would also be eliminated. While a handful of Short Season teams would move up in the ranks and a couple of Indy League teams would become affiliated teams.
Teams up to this point were still paying there minor leaguers. But, now with the strong possibility of no minor league season and minor league contraction happening in 2021, teams have started to release players. Cuts are typical at the end of spring training every year. But, the numbers of released players are much greater than normal.
Today the Mets cut 39 minor league players. I believe 3 other teams made a similar number of cuts as well.
Reports are saying that 1000 players by the end of the week will have been released.
Many of these players may never play professional baseball again. Covid may make things more difficult for these players to find jobs in 2021.
When the first reports of contraction surfaced, word was that a new indy league would be made up of a short number of the 40 teams that were part of contraction.
But, now with Covid this may be more difficult. Reports also say some of the remaining affiliated teams may not be able to survive in order to take part of the 2021 season.
Baseball in many ways will never be the same.
Thank You for Reading, Stay Safe and Healthy
Comments