MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred officially suspends minor-league season, agrees to pay weekly stipend through May

Bob Nightengale | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption The storylines that would have dominated MLB's Opening Day SportsPulse: March 26 was supposed to be MLB's Opening Day. Mackenzie Salmon looks at the top storylines we would have been talking about.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred told minor-league clubs and its players Tuesday that they are officially suspending the season, but agreed to pay minor-leaguers $400 per week through May.

Manfred said he still expects the minor-league season to resume this season, but he has no idea when.

In a letter sent to clubs, and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Manfred informed Pat O’Conner, minor league president and CEO, of MLB’s intentions amid the national emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“While I fully anticipate that baseball will resume this season,’’ Manfred wrote, “it is very difficult to predict with any accuracy the timeline for resumption of our season. And while I am confident that MLB ultimately will emerge from this crisis as strong as ever, we will face some significant economic challenges in the foreseeable future. Our clubs rely heavily on revenue from tickets/concessions, broadcasting/media, licensing and sponsorships to pay player salaries. In the absence of games, these revenue streams will be lost or substantially reduced, and clubs will not have sufficient funds to meet their financial obligations. ...

“I recognize the hardship that not receiving a paycheck will have on you and your families. For this reason, all MLB clubs have agreed to continue to pay players on Minor League UPCs (uniform player contracts) the sum of $400 per week through at least May 31, at which point we will reevaluate the circumstances.’’

2020? Players willing to play until Thanksgiving

DREAM SEASON OVER: Potential No. 1 pick in limbo

The $400 stipend represents a significant paycut for minor-league veterans, with many scheduled to earn more than $10,000 a month at the Triple-A level. It will be a raise for minor-league players in low levels, particularly players at extended spring-training camps who were not scheduled to be paid until playing for rookie-ball teams. Minor leaguers will continue receiving medical benefits, but they are not eligible for unemployment because they remain under contract. Individual clubs will create its own compensation plan to assist players assigned to the Dominican Summer League.

“I know that for some of you this stipend is less than you would have earned if the season were being played,’’ Manfred said. “However, we decided to provide a uniform amount to all Minor League players in order to provide this assistance to as many players as possible. ... The Baseball Assistance Team (“BAT”) is available to consider grant applications on an expedited basis for those players facing significant and immediate financial hardship.’’

Major League players with guaranteed contracts will begin receiving $5,000 a day beginning April 3 for 60 days ($300,000). Players under split contracts that guaranteed at least $150,000 in the minor leagues will receive $1,000 a day for 60 days ($60,000). Players with split contracts that guarantee $91,800 to $149,999 will receive $500 a day ($30,000). And those who have split contracts worth less than $91,800 will be paid $275 a day ($16,500).

“I want to thank you for your patience and professionalism during these extraordinary times,’’ Manfred wrote. “We will get through this crisis, and when we do, we look forward to your continued contributions to our great game. As we have time and time again, when faced with the numerous crises that have threatened our nation over the first 150 years of Major League Baseball, we will play a critical role in restoring normalcy in the lives of the millions of loyal fans who support and follow our great game.’’

Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale