Yes baseball is back, as Major League Baseball finally developed a plan for returning back to action earlier this week. Commissioner Rob Manfred implemented a 60-game season for 2020 with Opening Day slated to be July 23 or 24. A universal DH has also been added to the season, as well as additional runners on base in extra innings. All is back to normal in the baseball world, but that is hardly the case.
Negotiations for the 2020 season started in early May with the owners and the players trying to figure out the terms of the season. The first offer was sent to the players on May 26. The final plan implemented by the commissioner was just on June 23. For the rest of the specific offers between, here is a timeline of the past month of the MLB negotiations.
Negotiations
The past month of negotiations have put a cloud over baseball’s head. It soon turned into what seemed to be a CBA negotiation just to play the 2020 season. It’s a shame the owners and the players could not agree to a plan to put baseball back in action sooner, at a time when sports are needed more than ever for morale.
Has baseball been forgotten?
Some may say that baseball is back and once they start playing everyone will forget about the negotiations and move on. I disagree, as baseball missed a golden opportunity to be back and playing July 4th weekend before all the other major sports. Baseball could have found favor with the population and been the reminder that baseball is still relevant and gained new fans along the way. But that opportunity was squandered.
Sports fans are desperate for live sports, which could have been given to them with baseball. Ratings would definitely increase as it would only be competing with a couple other sports like golf and boxing. Yet, these negotiations put a stop to that, and instead of trying to salvage a season when the population needs something to hang on to, another month goes by without baseball.
60-Game Season
With only 60 games this season, some say what’s the point? With the original 162 game slate, a small 60-game season would not nearly be enough games to decide the true champion. Sure, 60 games may not be what were used to, but I think it will do well for the sport.
I believe baseball will benefit from a 60-game season because of the sprint type atmosphere as opposed to the marathon 162 game season. Let’s take a look at the 2019 playoff teams after 60 games.
American League- Astros (40-20), Twins (40-20), Yankees (38-22), Rays (37-23), Rangers (32-28).
National League- Dodgers (41-19), Brewers (34-26), Braves (33-27), Cubs (34-26), Phillies (33-27).
Seven of those ten teams went on to the postseason. The eventual 2019 World Series Champion Nationals would not have made the playoffs, as they held a 27-33 record after 60 games. Other playoff teams that did not make it at a 60-game cutoff in 2019 include the A’s and Cardinals. What 60 games does is make every game count, which in turn makes every game exciting for fans.
For me, the 162-game season drags on and on and what once was excitement in early April, becomes a shrug in September. Mostly because once September hits, the NFL takes priority over baseball for me, and it does for many others as well. If this 60-game season shows promise which I think it will, I strongly believe the MLB should consider shortening the season permanently. Not to 60 games of course, but perhaps 120/130 games. By shaving off about 30/40 games baseball would not have to compete with the NFL as much in the September and October months, where the NFL outperforms them. Plus, do we really need 162 games every year to decide the best team?
Other Changes
Also coming this season is a universal DH and adding a runner on second base in extra innings. The days of having pitchers hit in the lineup are over, as the Designated Hitter spot will take over in both leagues in the 2020 season. I am indifferent about that, as I liked watching pitchers take their stance in the batting box over the years. The jury is still out on the additional runner at second base in extra innings, so I will wait that out before I determine whether or not that is a good idea.
Conclusion
The 60-game season will certainly be different but can be an experiment for baseball and can ultimately lead to positive change. Whether it’s the universal DH, additional runner in extras, or even a shorter season, I think this season will be one to remember, (as long as it happens) and be a precedent for the future of Major League Baseball.
Do you think baseball missed an opportunity to be playing earlier before the major sports? Do you like the changes to the upcoming season? Comment below, and thanks for reading!
Sports by the Book 
Great write-up as always! I definitely agree with how you said baseball “squandered an opportunity.” If they had come to terms quicker they could have had everyone’s attention. But now it is obvious that the NBA is going to start grabbing the limelight at the end of July when they kick off as well. The owners and players of the MLB don’t seem to understand that they are getting lapped in popularity by the other leagues. I can see them going to a shorter season permanently as you said. My one issue with this is that it would distort stats. For instance, over 10 years a 120 game season would mean that Trout would play at least 400 less games then he might have. This is almost 2.5 seasons that trout would not have to accumulate states as he climbs up the leaderboards in WAR and other measures. Good stuff!
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