Report: MLB, MLBPA still at odds on player vesting options, bonuses

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have agreed to terms on safety protocols for the upcoming season, but the two sides are still at odds on other matters.

The league and players' association remain in talks about how vesting options for the 2021 season and bonuses will work. MLB originally wanted vesting options for next year to be prorated using the same formula that determined salaries for the shortened 2020 campaign, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

For example, St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Andrew Miller has a $12-million club option for 2021 that will be automatically picked up if he totals 110 games played in 2019 and 2020. MLB reportedly originally wanted to prorate that to $4.44 million.

The league has since suggested that players could receive the full value of their vesting options, but the details surrounding how many games are needed to meet the requirements might change due to the shortened season, Rosenthal notes.

After appearing in 73 games with the Cardinals last season, Miller needed only 37 in 2020 for the option to vest. In a 60-game campaign, it'll be a challenge to reach that number.

One option is that the two sides agree on a prorated number of games a player needs to reach this upcoming season. More concessions could be discussed if the campaign is shortened even further or canceled outright.