Miami Marlins: Discussions between MLB and MLBPA continue

Could meetings between the MLB front office and the MLBPA mean the Miami Marlins may play baseball this season after all?

It appears there is some movement between MLB and the MLBPA this afternoon, which could lead to an agreement to play baseball this season. According to sources, which include CBS Sports, the talks have been positive from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA head Tony Clark. This could mean the Miami Marlins and the 29 other franchises go get back to work fairly soon.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network was the first to break the news on his Twitter account.

After what appeared to be a season on life support, with the players telling Manfred to let them know “Where and When” the season would begin and how many games would be played, this looks to be a serious attempt to salvage some semblance of baseball.

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The two sides have been offering proposals back and forth to each other the past several weeks in an attempt to get players back to their training facilities to resume preparation for playing games that matter. Discussions over prorated salaries and the number of games played have held the 2020 MLB season in limbo.

"“Heyman adds that as part of the potential agreement, the MLBPA has agreed not to file a grievance. The possibility that the union would file a grievance proved to be a major impediment to a deal earlier this week,” Dayn Perry wrote.“According to Heyman, owners in the latest proposal have agreed to pay players their full prorated salaries. If the grievance has indeed been shelved and owners have indeed agreed to honor the March accord in which players agreed to pro-rate their 2020 salaries based on the number of regular-season games played, then those are two major hurdles eliminated. As such, it seems likely that players and owners will arrive at a negotiated agreement to start the 2020 season.”"

As the hourglass continues to empty and the thought of playing baseball, at any rate, becomes less of a reality, this looks like it is the best chance for something happening in the near future. MLB suspended all baseball activities in March because of the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still an issue in terms of safety for players, organizations, and all who are involved in the preparation of the season.

The Miami Marlins shut down their baseball operations both in Jupiter, Florida at the team’s training facility and also at Marlins Park in Miami. Front office staff and personnel have been working remotely during the pandemic.

This was the statement from MLB.com.

"From MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred…“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix. We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”"

Miami Marlins players have been waiting to get back to working out and training for the new season. When the decision was made to halt baseball operations, the Marlins were 12-6 in Spring Training, which was one of the bigger surprises of the Grapefruit League.

It appears from a monetary side, the thing holding up the start of the season is a dispute over players’ salaries and compensation for the number of games they will be paid in 2020.

"“This marks a notable change in course, as it appeared for a time that negotiations were at an end. Owners and players had been discussing a number of issues related to the 2020 season, which has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Perry adds. “But negotiations appeared to be over after owners made repeated proposals that in essence didn’t alter their position. Players, in turn, made repeated proposals that did entail significant concessions.”"

Could meetings between the MLB front office and the MLBPA mean the Miami Marlins may play baseball this season after all?

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