Is MLBPA proposal last stand for 2020 season? (VIDEO)

LOS ANGELES – UPDATE: According MLB insider Jon Heyman, Major League Baseball and the MLBPA are close to an agreement to play in 2020. The deal is expected to be prorated pay and include expanded playoffs according to Heyman.

Breaking: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and players union chief Tony Clark had what’s being called a productive meeting face to face in Arizona. Meeting was called at Manfred’s request

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 17, 2020

As other leagues have created a plan to resume their seasons, the MLB is still at an impasse. With each passing day, the 2020 season remains in jeopardy.

The owners are pushing for less games and a prorated pay scale since they believe they are taking the financial hit. The players aren’t buying that “justification” and want their full salaries since they are incurring all the risk.

The Major League Baseball Players Association has rejected MLB's latest proposal and will not counter, sources tell ESPN. In a letter to the league, the union asked MLB to inform it of how many games it intends to play and when players should report.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 13, 2020

The owners proposed a 76-game schedule with a 75 percent prorated pay scale, which the players quickly rejected.

After originally pushing for a 114-game schedule, the MLBPA scaled back and countered with a reasonable 89-game schedule with full prorated salaries, and a postseason that includes 16 teams (8 from each league) as a sweetener for the owners.

The franchise value has gone up $2 billion. But baseball “isn’t very profitable” https://t.co/paE1XVSghj pic.twitter.com/QqzQFCjKtT

— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) June 9, 2020

The owners’ last proposal this past weekend offered 72-games and a 70 percent prorated pay scale which would rise to 83 percent after the completion of the postseason which would equate to about $1.5 billion. The players refused this last offer and will not counter.

MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said, “Further dialogue with the league would be futile. It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”

Major League Baseball has issued a statement in response to the MLB Players Association asking the league to set a schedule for the 2020 season rather that continue discussions on a return-to-play scenario. pic.twitter.com/a27ODsmplQ

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 14, 2020

Clark is referring to a March agreement in which if the two sides were unable to come to an agreement, the league would have the power to implement a 50-game schedule and pay the players their full salaries totaling $1.25 billion.

Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/d1p3Oj4K70

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 13, 2020

Even if the league does set the schedule, there’s still no health and safety protocols set in place requiring additional conversations. Also, both sides will likely file grievances against one another adding even more tension.

There are a couple owners who are fine with calling off the season, and maybe the latest from players today will spur 1 or 2 more to feel that way, but it would take 8 owners to scuttle a season. And most important, commissioner Manfred is on record saying there will be baseball.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 14, 2020

A season will likely be forced at this point, but neither the players nor owners feel satisfied. What’s even worse is the optics for both sides; both appeared to be willing to budge on the finances.

Keep in mind, they will need to negotiate a new CBA after 2021, so what will that look like?