Tampa Bay Ray ace and 2018 AL Cy Young winner, Blake Snell, says he refuses to play this season for a reduced salary. Snell announced it on his Twitch channel and says that it is “just not worth it.”
There has been reports that owners sent a proposal to the MLBPA of a 50-50 revenue split . Blake Snell is projected to make $7 million in 2020, and says he is risking his own life by going on the field to play. Snell believes he should be getting the money he signed to get paid for. He goes on to continue how since the season is cut in half, it should not mean his contract should be shut in half as well. On top of a 33% cut of the half that’s already there, Snell says he will be making around 25% this season.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper also voiced his opinion saying that Snell is right on what he said. Harper signed a record breaking deal with the Phillies in 2019 for 13 year/$330 million dollar deal, making him one of the top paid athletes in the MLB.
My Thoughts
This is a really testy subject to talk about, because so many people have opinions regarding this issue. I see Blake Snell’s frustration with this, especially since he was going to make some good money this season. There is a lot people who disagree with him, because he is a baseball player making millions of dollars, and he should stop complaining when he is making way more than a lot of people around the world.
I agree with Snell that he should be paid his whole contract that he signed up for, but I just don’t think that this was the right time for him to say this. The reason why I say that is because people are losing their lives everyday from COVID-19, and his comments just made him look really bad during this chaotic time. I think that he should’ve waited a little bit to voice his opinion about it, because people are more concerned about their health right now than money. Once when this pandemic dies down a little more, I think it would’ve been the best time to say his opinion.
I do agree with his opinion though, his payment should not be cut in half because the season is cut in half. He signed a contract that would pay him $7 million this year, and he won’t get all the money he is suppose to get paid this season. He is risking his life to go out to play to pitch on the mound, and with doing that it does not mean his contract should not be cut in half. COVID-19 is not his fault, and it doesn’t mean they should take away his money because the season was cut in half.
If I was in his shoes, I agree that players should get paid the whole contract, but I would still go out to pitch. I don’t think I could sit out playing the sport I love in the professionals, while still making a good amount of money. If this was a normal job that I got paid minimum wage and this happened, I would not show up to work at all. But if I was playing a sport I love on the big stage while making a good amount of money, I would still do it. The reason why I say that is because this is only for one year, and once this season is up I would get the money I deserve the next season. But if Snell does not want to show up and play this season because of this issue, then I understand and respect his decision.
I 110% agree that the MLB players should get paid their whole salary, this should be interesting as I expect many other players to step up and voice their opinions as well.
I just hope sports return soon! I miss it too much 😦
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