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Yesterday was supposed to be Opening Day across Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, but luckily there were plenty of past games to be seen across a plethora of different platforms.
Earlier in the morning, Mike Trout caught up with Harold Reynolds on the MLB Network to discuss how he’s handling the coronavirus, and what he’s been up to while on this hiatus from baseball. You can check out the full interview here.
@MikeTrout joined @MLBNetwork this morning to give an update on what he's up to! pic.twitter.com/ncAMRnqQ1M
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) March 26, 2020
Also, in case you missed it, he also narrated this video about coming together as one to celebrate Opening Day.
Even though we’re apart, we can come together. #OpeningDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/1x9VCifRje
— MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2020
Links
This is probably the coolest thing you’ll see today. Fanatics will be taking the raw materials typically used in the creation of MLB jerseys and instead using them to create masks and hospital gowns. MLB and Fanatics are absorbing all costs associated with the endeavor. Read more about it in the article below.
MLB jerseys to be used to make masks and gowns https://t.co/96o2jIbY6o
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 26, 2020
- There was some big news in regards to Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, as they reached a deal. The players have voted on it already. MLB owners are expected to ratify it today. I’m going to do my best and try to attach as much information as I possibly can, because it’s a lot.
As part of deal between MLB and MLBPA, players will receive an $170M advance spread over two months, source tells The Athletic. Salaries will be pro-rated based on length of season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2020
Money will be distributed between four tiers of players - those with guaranteed contracts and those in three different levels of split contracts between majors and minors. https://t.co/pJuCGphuzn
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2020
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
In the deal, MLB has the right to shorten the 2020 draft to five rounds, sources tell ESPN. Additionally, it can delay the start of the international signing period to as late as January 2021. MLB also can shorten the 2021 draft to 20 rounds, and push back the 2021-22 international signing period to January 2022 through December 2022, per sources. The most important thing for the players: In the doomsday scenario of no 2020 season, they will get full service time, meaning Mookie Betts, Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, J.T. Realmuto and others will be free agents in November regardless of whether games are played. Along these lines, an important — if a bit wonky — point: Because the season will clearly be shorter, the arbitration rules will be adjusted so players are not penalized for putting up counting stats that don’t stack up to past comparables. Made lots of sense to do it this way.
If a season is played, players will get pro-rated service time. So if there were just a 90-game season, a player active the whole time would get a full year of service. If active for half the time, half a service year.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 27, 2020
No more roster moves. When the MLB and MLBPA deal is ratified by MLB owners as expected tomorrow, a transaction freeze will be in place, source says. Sides will agree when it is lifted.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 27, 2020
Hopefully all this helps.