https://www.blessyouboys.com/2020/6...d-mlb-players-union-negotiations-2020-covid19
Talks collapse; shortened baseball season likely.
MLB owners and players say no further offers are expected.
BYBTB
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...-league-offer-expect-short-season/3187157001/
Players' union done negotiating, tells MLB to simply tell the players when to show up for work.
Freep
https://motorcitybengals.com/2020/06/14/detroit-tigers-mlb-unable-quench-thirst-shame/
MLB Unable to Quench The Thirst for Shame.
MCBTB
It is common knowledge that the negotiations between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association have been anything but congenial. It is also well known that Tony Clark heads the MLBPA. Moreover, many are aware that Andrew Miller, Daniel Murphy, and Max Scherzer are prominently involved as members of MLBPA?s executive subcommittee.
Somewhat less known is the structure on the other side of the negotiating table. Rob Manfred is the Commissioner, and there are 30 ownership groups, but beyond that?. let?s just say the identities of the people driving that proverbial train (Casey Jones you better watch your speed) are probably a mystery to most of you.
To a large degree, this is the answer:
MLB has a labor-policy committee comprising five owners who oversee work done in the Commissioner?s office. Dick Montfort (Rockies) heads the committee, which also includes Mark Attanasio (Brewers), Ray Davis (Rangers), Ron Fowler (Padres), and John Henry (Red Sox).
Per a well-placed MLB source, the owners ?participate pretty regularly in the process.? As for the decision-making power of the Commissioner?s office, ?The owners ultimately make the decisions.?
Assuming that?s true, exactly what role does the Commissioner?s office play in the negotiations? According to the source, the answer is ?analysis, recommendations, and counsel, both on the legal side and on the economics.? Manfred?s staff presents the owners with options, then proceeds to ?execute the labor relations,? dealing directly with the MLBPA.
The Commissioner himself? Is Rob Manfred an independent arbiter ? think ?The best interests of baseball? ? or does he solely represent the interests of the owners?
?Historically, going all the way back to [Kenesaw Mountain] Landis, the idea was that the Commissioner was separate from the clubs; he was kind of like a benevolent overseer of the game,? the well-placed MLB source told me. ?The job ? the way it has developed in the modern world ? is to represent the interests of the 30 clubs, while the Players Association represents the interests of the players.?
Whether that is ultimately good for the game is, in a word, questionable. Ditto what the owners are pushing for. Are the short-term financial savings truly what is best for their clubs in a long-term baseball sense?
Fangraphs
