Manfred, Clark 'developed framework' for agreement on 2020 season

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred flew to Arizona to meet face to face with MLBPA executive director Tony Clark on Tuesday regarding a new framework for the 2020 season, he confirmed in a statement Wednesday.

"At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours yesterday in Phoenix. We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents," Manfred said. "I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same."

The league recently sent a new offer to the union, sources told Evan Drellich of The Athletic. No deal has been officially agreed upon even in principle, Drellich reports.

This latest proposal reportedly involves a 60-game schedule starting July 19 with full prorated salaries going to players.

The framework of the plan includes the implementation of the universal designated hitter in both 2020 and 2021, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman also notes the postseason pool would consist of an additional $25 million on top of full prorated salaries.

Clark would have to present the latest offer to the union before it can be ratified. The union confirmed that any notion that an agreement had already been reached was premature.

While progress has been made between MLB and the MLBPA, the league's proposed 60-game season isn't long enough for the union, a source told Drellich and Ken Rosenthal.

The league and the union have been at odds about the pay structure for the upcoming campaign since a March agreement to grant players prorated salaries related to the number of games played. The owners want further pay cuts because fans won't be able to attend.

Manfred recently said he wasn't confident that a season would ultimately take place, reversing course from last week's promise that games would be played. He had the option of unilaterally implementing a schedule but was concerned the union would potentially file a grievance.