MLB News: Manfred Set to Give Teams Option to Furlough Non-Playing Employees

Due to the uncertain economic times that are a result of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball is being forced to make choices that would have seemed unfathomable just months ago. The multi-billion dollar industry has been brought to an indefinite stop, leaving great questions about the immediate future of the MLB.

According to the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Commissioner Rob Manfred will soon allow owners the option to furlough non-playing employees or at least reduce their pay. On May 1st, Manfred is expected suspend the Uniform Employee Contracts, based on a provision that allows him to do so in the event of a national emergency. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on March 13.

This would not effect MLB players directly, as they had already come to terms on a agreement with the MLB for how they would be paid in the event of a cancelled or shortened-season through the MLBPA. This could however effect coaches, scouts, front-office staffers and more at both the minor and major league levels, as any non-playing employees could be subject to being furloughed.

Teams like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants have already been out in front of this, committing to pay their employees through May 31st. Other teams such as the New York Mets have made no such public declarations.

In terms of the league office, Manfred has committed to paying league employees through May 31st as well, while senior league employees, including himself, will see their pay reduced by 35% according to ESPN.

Another part of Rosenthal’s report on Sunday was in regards to their plans to resume the 2020 season. Apparently the MLB has enlisted a former official of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to become their new lead medical consultant.

Dr. Ali S. Khan was with the CDC for nearly two decades, most recently working as its director of the office of public health preparedness and response. Khan now works at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as the dean of the college of public health. Khan will now be working with Major League Baseball to ensure a healthy and safe return to action, whenever that opportunity presents itself.