MLB’s proposal to start the 2020 season is widely known at this point — and Trevor Bauer sees that as a big problem.
“I don’t think any of this should have been made public, that’s the most concerning thing to me,” the outspoken Reds pitcher told CBS’ “Tiki and Tierney” on Thursday. “I haven’t even seen the full proposal. That’s not how you’re supposed to negotiate. It’s meant to pit owners on the ‘right’ side of things and players as the greedy ones.”
Bauer, who called the league’s plan — and its proposed revenue sharing — laughable, is among the first wave of players to speak out about it. Rays pitcher Blake Snell drew some ire for saying “it’s just not worth it” if he has to take an additional pay cut to play a season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.
The players believe how they will be paid if games are played without fans was covered in a March agreement between MLB and their union. The owners want to revisit that because games without fans and the lost revenue make the situation untenable for them.
“The players have been more than willing to compromise, Bauer said. “We’ve already agreed to take pay cuts at a prorated amount. We all want to be on the field and provide entertainment for the fans, but at the same time, it has to be done in good faith. We have to be treated fairly for the jobs we do and the risks we’re taking.”
Though money is a big part of negotiations, perhaps a bigger one is the health of those who would be involved in a shortened season, and that goes beyond the players.
“There’s a lot of people that go into making a season possible,” Bauer said. “Coaches, [staff], front office that are in that age demographic that are at risk. The longer we’re out there, the more likely they’ll pick something up. That’s risky. That’s dangerous.”
Despite all the issues potentially standing in the way of baseball this summer, Bauer does see the game returning in some form by mid-July.
“One hundred percent,” he said. “I’m very confident there will be baseball this season. The owners and players have a long history of finding common ground. What form it takes and how long it takes to come back is what’s being negotiated right now.”