The Major League Baseball Players Association delivered a return-to-play proposal to MLB on Sunday that includes a 114-game season, deferred salaries in the event of a canceled postseason and the option for all players to opt-out of a potential 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns, sources familiar with the details told ESPN.

The proposal, which was the first from the union and came on the heels of an MLB plan that was loudly rejected by the players, comes at a seminal moment as baseball tries to become the first major American professional sport to return. Although the players expect the league to reject it, they hope it will serve as a bridge to a potential deal this week.

The 114-game season, which under the union's proposal would run from June 30 to Oct. 31, is expected to be immediately dismissed by the league; MLB has proposed an 82-game season and suggested that the more games teams play this year, the more money they lose. The union remains steadfast that players should receive their full prorated salaries, while MLB's plan included significant pay cuts that affected the highest-paid players the most but covered all levels.

Other parts of the players' proposal, sources said, include:

  • Expanded playoffs for two years; MLB's proposal suggests one year of a postseason that goes from 10 teams to 14.
  • A salary advance of $100 million to split among players during the so-called "spring training 2.0" that leads up to the regular season.
  • Additional commitment to players wearing microphones on the field and other broadcast enhancements.
  • An offer to hold events such as an offseason All-Star Game or Home Run Derby to generate additional revenue.
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Super Bowl Photos

 

More From Talk 103.9 & 1340