Thread by @EugeneFreedman

Let's discuss this "proposal." MLB is proposing to pay employees exactly what they are entitled to under the season, but shorten their work schedule by ~5%. That's essentially a 5% raise. It moves the dates, which is essentially a push, although take note, MLB was unwilling 1/

https://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/1355949230897041411

to extend the dates of thee playoffs last season because of their TV contracts. It would seem that those TV schedules are no longer untouchable.

And, here's the kicker-expanded playoffs. This is a unilateral desire by management. MLB has wanted expanded playoffs for several 2/

years. It proposed them last year, reaching agreement, but only for one season. The MLBPA proposed splitting the TV revenue increases as part of the players' share of playoff money and MLB balked. That's why the deal was only for one year.

This remains the primary driver of 3/

all negotiations. Last year, this year, and the winter 2021 CBA negotiations. MLB wants expanded playoffs b/c the large bulk of its shared revenue stream is from playoff TV. Regular season TV is not shared & varies greatly by market.

MLB has made a lot of money on new revenue 4/

streams in recent years. This includes streaming & subscription television as well as non-gate ballpark related revenues (most of which are obscured financially, so they don't flow to the players as readily). It includes shopping in & around the park (including retail leases) 5/

as well as more traditional sources like parking & concessions.

I cannot see an agreement for a 5% pay increase in exchange for expanded playoffs unless it includes substantial revenue sharing from that expanded playoffs. And, I can't see management offering that now. 6/

Management is more likely to fight for that at the table in the term negotiations and use maximum pressure to get it, such as a lockout in December/January/February to put pressure on free agent players.

But, before we allow the MLB media to paint this as a win-win, let's 7/

remember the status quo. MLB and the Union have an agreement. It's the CBA. The lays out the schedule, the playoffs, and all other related wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. Management cannot unilaterally delay or suspend the season without substantial 8/

liability. The status quo does not include expanded playoffs.

I did a long thread analyzing the status of the emergency provision in the UPC, and the absence of management's ability to suspend the season for COVID. Here it is. /end

https://twitter.com/EugeneFreedman/status/1348802915025219584

. @BizballMaury has corrected the reports, including the ones I relied upon, stating that it would be 162 games paid over 154 games. It's actually not that. So, on top of expanded playoffs (for presumably nothing), this is proposal for a 5% pay cut.

https://twitter.com/BizballMaury/status/1355991586539073536

Maury has no recorrected. It's 162 pay for 154 games, so exactly like my original thread.