Los Angeles (AFP)
The North American baseball league (MLB) and the players' union (MLBPA), which have been in conflict for several weeks over the salary issue, have together laid the foundations for an agreement that would allow the season to start, a announced Wednesday the boss of the League
"We have a jointly developed framework which we believe could form the basis of an agreement and be the subject of conversations with our respective constituents," said MLB boss Rob Manfred, following a meeting in Phoenix, with Tony Clark, head of MLBPA.
"I recalled this executive several times during the meeting and sent a written summary to Tony today. I encourage the clubs to go ahead and I am sure Tony is doing the same" with the players, added the commissioner of the league, which represents the franchises.
This surge of optimism found contrasts with his fear expressed on Monday that the season simply does not take place.
The two sides have so far remained sharply divided over the financial terms for players in a shortened season due to the coronavirus pandemic. The championship was originally scheduled to start on March 26.
After an agreement reached at that time on wages paid in proportion to the number of matches played in a shortened season, the owners wanted to negotiate further reductions. What players have always disputed brandishing the initial agreement.
The MLB therefore seems to have managed to accept this point of view, and according to the Los Angeles Times, the body will propose a start-up plan for the season on July 19 or 20, including 60 regular season games, before the play-offs. to 16 teams.
© 2020 AFP