Drayer: MLB, MLBPA were quiet Tuesday because they were being productive

It would appear a quiet Tuesday in baseball was a good sign.

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Following the seismic news of the whiplash reversal of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s declaration that he was certain – 100 percent certain – that there would be baseball in 2020, a day of no leaked news, no Tweets other than a cascade of “Tell us when and where” from the players was refreshing.

It turns out it was also productive.

Manfred and MLBPA union chief Tony Clark met Tuesday in Phoenix and got to work. It is believed to be the first face-to-face meeting between the two since March. With baseball in 2020 and beyond hanging in the balance it was far past about time the two actually sat across a table from each other, but no matter. After over 10 weeks of back and forth nattering and outright rejecting of proposals in place of actual negotiating, it appears the two sides have gone from loggerheads to the doorstep of an actual agreement.

The statement issued Wednesday by Manfred:

“At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix. We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”

The framework as reported includes players receiving full prorated pay for a season of 60 games that would start July 19 or July 20 and run for 70 days. Expanded playoffs, an item that the players union suggested in its first proposal, would be played in both 2020 and 2021, and the players would waive their right to file a grievance.

It should be noted that prior to the commissioner releasing his statement the MLBPA released the following in response to Tweets suggesting there was agreement.

Reports of an agreement are false.

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 17, 2020

Manfred acknowledging and accommodating full pro rata – which the players have insisted upon since well before MLB made its first proposal with Clark saying that salary cuts were a nonstarter as compensation had been settled in the March 26 agreement – would appear to be a step forward. As for the actual dollars, at 60 games full salary, approximately $1.5 billion would be paid to the players, which is equal to the 83 percent in 72 games provided the World Series was completed that MLB offered in its last proposal. I suspect we will see the players try to negotiate more games and it almost appears MLB has left room for this by proposing just 60 games in 70 days.

Health and safety protocols and a number of other items not related to compensation must be also be agreed to before the two sides can complete a deal that will bring baseball back. The challenges for the sport do not end there. Mounting a season with COVID-19 still ever present and the next CBA looming is far from a picnic but following weeks of discourse an agreement now would at the very least save baseball from the damage that could be done with an 18-month absence.

As for the damage it has proven it can do to itself? So much work remains but perhaps something can be learned in an agreement following a face-to-face meeting.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Shannon Drayer on Twitter.

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