No Deal, Still Progress

Monday's rejection by the MLBPA of the owners' last offer actually moves us closer to some kind of a baseball season. Per the March agreement, the commissioner has the authority to impose a schedule, although there won't be expanded playoffs or a universal DH. So, during interleague games, we'll still see the generally ugly attempts by pitchers such as Jonathan Loaisiga to look like Don Newcombe or Gary Peters -- while managers cross their fingers that they don't follow in the ill-fated footsteps of Chien Ming Wang.

But the game will be back -- 60 or so in a regular season beginning around July 24th, following a second training camp. Not the ideal solution, but each side clearly had their reasons to disagree.

By ceding control to Rob Manfred, the players retain the option to file a grievance against his plan. So, at a time when the country is still hurting, and eager for any kind of live sports on TV, we could be looking at another round of Sports in the Courts. Not as compelling as a game seven or stellar performance.


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