After Rob Manfred reportedly told ESPN that he is “not confident†that there will be a 2020 MLB season, Trevor Bauer called out the commissioner about his change in stance.
Bauer suggested, via a thread on his Twitter account, that Manfred is bluffing as a way to delay negotiations to the point where the league wouldn’t be able to have a season with more than 70 games.
Is June 15, so how do you delay another 13 days? guess we all got that answer today. Threaten to cancel the season. Threaten arbitration. Threaten grievances. All the while, hold the fans for ransom. Hold the future of the game for ransom. No one believes your bluff, bud.
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 15, 2020
This is not the first time the Cincinnati Reds starter has been critical towards Manfred voicing his displeasure about how the negotiations have been handled.
The MLB and MLBPA made an agreement in March that allows Manfred to implement a season of any length with players receiving prorated salaries based on the number of games played.
The league reportedly sent a letter to the union, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, that said there wouldn’t be a 2020 season unless the union waived any legal claims against the league.
Other MLB players have similarly taken to Twitter to voice their frustrations with the negotiations, throwing their support behind Bauer:
If you’re a baseball fan and really want to know what’s going on. Look no further https://t.co/2EvsVs0aPP
— Christian Yelich (@ChristianYelich) June 15, 2020
Unreal how Rob Manfred just lied to the world of baseball Fans that there will be 100% 2020 season couples days ago , today he is not confident #PLAYERSAREREADY #MLB
— Roberto Perez (@robperez2015) June 15, 2020
What’s good @Eagles?
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) June 15, 2020
