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Washington’s Nationals will pay their remaining minor leaguers through June, though at a reduced rate of $300 per week (down from $400).
This latest news comes after reports last week that the defending World Series champions were among the teams cutting players from their minor league affiliates, since there won’t be a minor league season this year (according to multiple reports though not official).
One player, who spoke anonymously to The Athletic’s Emily C. Waldon told the reporter, as quoted on Twitter, “I’m glad we’re still going to get something through the next month,” while in an article on the latest developments, a player told Waldon and Britt Ghiroli, “I wish the owners really weighed how much that $100 they cut us back is saving them versus how much it helps put food on the table for us and our families.”
NATS BEAT:
Nationals make cuts, drop minor-league pay – (The Athletic)
"The Nationals committed Sunday to paying their remaining minor-league players $300 a week for the month of June, sources told The Athletic."
Several #Nationals minor leaguers chimed in about latest organization updates, "It’s definitely mind-blowing to see the amount of releases there have been throughout baseball in the past week," one player said. "I’m glad we’re still going to get something through the next month.
— emilycwaldon (@EmilyCWaldon) May 31, 2020
Nationals to decrease minor leaguers’ pay to $300 per week in June - (WaPost)
"The Washington Nationals will decrease minor league players’ pay to $300 per week in June, according to two people with knowledge of their plans."
It's time for baseball to help bring us back together - (MASN)
"It all seems so trivial right now, doesn’t it, the bickering between Major League Baseball and its players over how to fairly set salaries for the 2020 season?"
DiPuglia on first introduction to Juan Soto - (MASN)
"A few years back, Dominican scout Modesto Ulloa was the first to alert the Nationals to a left-handed pitcher/outfielder he wanted them to take a look at."
#Nationals Minor leaguers will be paid $300 a week for the month of June, sources tell me and @EmilyCWaldon
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) May 31, 2020
Washington made more than 30 roster cuts, including nearly all of the club's minor league free agents. Were told they'd be no minor lg season.
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
If there is a 2020 MLB season, mascots won't be involved - (AP)
"MLB wants to ban the birds -- sorry, Pirate Parrot -- and Bernie Brewer, Blooper, Bernie the Marlin, heck, all costumed creatures great and small from the ballpark this season. Firebird, Paws, the Oriole Bird, all face extinction -- at least this season, should baseball resume."
Inside Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer’s brief stint with the Fort Worth Cats and the diverse cast surrounding him - (Dallas News)
"Soon after designated hitter John Allen took his seat in the visitors’ dugout early in the Fort Worth Cats’ game against the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Canaries on May 23, 2007, he was startled by the actions of the teammate seated next to him."
No evidence of progress yet in MLB/ players talk so no realistic hope to meet the “soft” deadline of tomorrow June 1 for deal. That deadline was soft for a reason, and hope remains to start season July 4 weekend — if a deal can be done by range of June 5-June 9.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 31, 2020
MLB blew its chance to truly lead sports' coronavirus return - (NY Post)
"For those who haven’t been following chapter and verse of these toxic talks, the good news is that MLB has found other ways to poison its product."
Team Source: 2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled - (Forbes)
"The employee, who’d spent six seasons with that team, was told that there would be no MiLB season this year when they were let go last week."
NL EAST UPDATES:
Terry Collins no-no longer regrets leaving Johan Santana in for historic no-hitter - (Newsday)
"Terry Collins has forgiven himself. In the immediate aftermath of Johan Santana’s no-hitter and for the years that followed, the memory made Collins sick."
On this date: Cameron Maybin home run highlights Memorial Day comeback - (Fish Stripes)
"On Memorial Day a decade ago, the Florida Marlins used a big sixth inning to erase an early deficit and send the South Florida fans home happy."
Revisiting the Braves’ past 10 years of first-round picks - (AJC.com)
"With the MLB draft approaching, we decided to look back at the Braves’ past 10 years of first-round picks."
Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. hopes baseball’s contentious labor talks lead to some future improvements - (The Morning Call)
"Former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. remembers the 1994-95 strike very well. He was 29 years old and had earned a bench role with the Cleveland Indians after being dealt by the Phillies for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb in November 1993."