MLB: Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper Backs Up Blake Snell Against Players Pay Cut

KEY POINTS

The MLB is set to return as early as July with conditions of a possible salary pay cut
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell was against the notion of a reduced salary
Former National League MVP Bryce Harper agrees with Blake Snell regarding the possible salary cut

The MLB is bound to return as early as July but it comes with a possibility of the players taking a pay cut. This wasn’t met too will including Tampa Bay Rays Blake Snell and was backed up by Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper.

The current setup of the league and the players include a guarantee that was agreed upon last March. The initial financial agreement is that players receive a prorated portion of the year’s salary. Per ESPN, if teams play 81 games of the season they get 50% of their salary and 74% if they play 120 games.

The talks of lowering the share for players, even more, have been a major concern for the players association. With the development of MLB’s proposal of a 50/50 revenue split in 2020, the MLBPA must figure out how it is distributed among its players.

This development had players voice out their concerns about the issue. The lefty pitcher Snell shared that he will sit out the season if their salaries are further reduced.

“Y'all gotta understand, man, for me to go — for me to take a pay cut is not happening, because the risk is through the roof. No, I gotta get my money. I'm not playing unless I get mine, OK? And that's just the way it is for me,” Snell shared by way of NBC Sports.

"Bro, I'm risking my life. What do you mean it should not be a thing? It should 100% be a thing. If I'm gonna play, I should be getting the money I signed to be getting paid,” Snell added.

Former National League MVP Harper backed up this sentiment. In a Twitch stream with Phillies prospect Bryson Stott, Harper shared that he understands the risks of playing in a global pandemic.

"He ain't lying, he's speaking the truth bro. I ain't mad at him. Somebody's gotta say it, at least he manned up and said it. Good for him. I love Snell, the guy's a beast. One of the best lefties in the game," Harper said.

The threat of the coronavirus continues to loom but major leagues such as the MLB are making strides in resuming play. It will be interesting to monitor the development, as teams and players find more ways to meet the most appropriate and reasonable setup.