MLB’s Salary Proposal to Players is Laughable

We knew there was going to be a dispute when it comes to finances, we just thought it would come when the CBA expired in a couple years. Because of lost time and revenue, the owners have produced a new proposal for player’s salaries for the 2020 season. Initially, the proposal was a prorated salary based on the percentage of games played. For example, if the league played 82 games this season then players would receive 50% of their usual salary. This new proposal puts players into brackets based on their normal salary.

Potential salary cuts in MLB plan, sources tell @JesseRogersESPN and me:

Full-year Proposal

$563.5K $262K
$1M $434K
$2M $736K
$5M $1.64M
$10M $2.95M
$15M $4.05M
$20M $5.15M
$25M $6.05M
$30M $6.95M
$35M $7.84M

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 26, 2020

This is what salaries would look like under the new proposal. If a player makes between $563.5K (league minimum) and $1M, then they would receive $262K. If a player earns between $1M and $2M, then they would receive $736K and so on. 

Player Reactions

It is safe to say the players were not happy when they heard about this proposal.

This season is not looking promising. Keeping the mind and body ready regardless. Time to dive into some life-after-baseball projects. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Brighter times remain ahead!

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 26, 2020

This plan greatly hurts the league’s most talented and highly paid players. About 65% of players make $1M or less so they would receive about 80% of their original salary. Mike Trout on the other hand would only earn $7.84M.

Interesting strategy of making the best most marketable players potentially look like the bad guys

— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) May 26, 2020

Public Reaction

A lot of the country is hurting right now in many different ways. People are losing loved ones, have lost their job, or have even had their own health decline. In times like this, we look to sports to ease our mind and distract us from the world around us. A lot of fans are extremely unhappy with the players. In a world where the everyday citizen may be living on unemployment, millionaire baseball players are complaining about not getting their full salaries. In the grand scheme of things, these players are getting paid millions of dollars to play a game.

HOWEVER, they are the ones who bring in the revenue that allow us to enjoy such a game. We go to baseball games to see our favorite teams and players in action. You purposefully look at who is pitching a certain game and that may influence if you decide to go or not. These players have earned their right to their salaries. The MLBPA and the owners are also far apart of health and safety numbers. Other than salaries and athletic abilities, these guys are just like you and me. Many of them are married and have children. They have more to life than just being a baseball player. If they feel their safety is jeopardized or their pay is not worth the risk, then who are we to tell them to “shut up and play.”

Final Thoughts

I miss baseball just as much as the next guy. I want to see my Mets run out on to the field even if it means there is no one there. However, I know there is much more to life right now than watching a game. I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my beautiful wife, pick up my guitar again, and read a lot of books. Let these athletes be people for a minute. The health and safety of everyone is the most important thing right now. Who are we to tell baseball players that they need to risk their health and safety for our enjoyment. Baseball will comeback, but it has to be safe for everyone first.

-Pete Chatterton (@Pchat12)