Read on Twitter
The damndest thing about MLB/Manfred's approach is that there were WAY better ways to "win" this even under their cynical worldview. All it would've taken was some moderate long term thinking.
If they had met the players in the middle (72 games) at prorata, they'd have an agreement. It'd cost them some, but not THAT much. It'd save them a grievance, though, AND it'd put them in a position where they could (again, thinking cynically) squeeze the MLBPA next year.
They document losses for 2020 and bring them to the table for the CBA talks next year when there would be more time to press them (and work the press). Their leverage would be greater too because they can lock the players out next December. A short loss in 2020 for a big CBA gain
And (again, super cynically) they could always simply bail on 2020 even via finding the health protocols COVID unworkable. There were options.
The tack they took, however, gave them the worst of both worlds. 1. potential liability; 2. galvanizing of the MLBPA now and for the 2021 CBA talks; and 3. even losing the public which almost always sides with ownership.
Just splendid.
Just splendid.
