Mariners reportedly cutting staff salaries to prevent layoffs, furloughs

As MLB and the players union get set to negotiate a plan for returning to play, the Mariners have taken the step of reducing the salaries of over 60 employees in hopes of avoiding furloughs and layoffs in light of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.

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Sources confirm a report from The Athletic that Mariners employees who fall under the Uniform Employee Contract status and earn $60,000 a year or more will see a minimum salary reduction of 20 percent beginning June 1. The UEC includes members of baseball operations, player development, scouting and other non-playing baseball personnel such as coaches and trainers. General manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais are among those who will see salary reductions.

With MLB commissioner Rob Manfred citing lack of revenue due to the cancellation of games suspending uniform employee contracts May 1, he put the fate of those employees in the hands of their organizations. Nearly all clubs including the Mariners committed to no layoffs or furloughs in baseball operations through May 31. Several including the Indians and Rangers have asked higher-salaried employees to take pay cuts.

With the news of the pay cuts came the assurance that there would be no furloughs or layoffs through Oct. 31 for those holding UEC’s.

According to reports, the Rays have furloughed dozens of their employees while the Marlins are expected to furlough a third of their business operations staff in Mid-May.

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