MLB players react after commissioner Rob Manfred changes stance on 2020 MLB season

The players didn't love Manfred's flip-flopping statements

By Shanna McCarriston

Jun 16, 2020 at 3:19 pm ET • 1 min read

Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred made an announcement on Monday, saying he's not confident that there will be a 2020 season. For anyone keeping track, this is one week after he said, "We're going to play baseball in 2020, 100 percent."

Manfred said in his latest statement, "I think there's real risk; and as long as there's no dialogue, that real risk is gonna continue ... It's just a disaster for our game, absolutely no question about it. It shouldn't be happening, and it's important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans."

So, yes, the MLB situation is still a mess. Players and owners are still at a crossroads, with no agreement in sight.

The players have been vocal about their feelings up until this point and did not hold back this time either.

Here are some of their responses following Manfred's latest statement:

Max Scherzer weighed in again.

Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word...AGAIN. The fans do not deserve this. So I’ll say it one more time, tell us when and where.
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) June 16, 2020

Even Mike Trout, the usually quiet Angels star, spoke out.

Tell us when and where!! https://t.co/zPMbehld1n
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) June 16, 2020

Bryce Harper said the same.

Tell us when and where. https://t.co/hy157hOYkl
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) June 16, 2020

Harper also might be considering a new career path.

What’s good @Eagles?👋🏼
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) June 15, 2020

Not surprisingly, Trevor Bauer had a lot to say on the matter.

So, Rob, explain to us how you can be 100% sure that there’s going to be baseball but not confident there will be baseball at the same time? hmmm. What changed between those statements 🤔🤔 Players told you to set the season, but it’s too early to set the season right now,
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 15, 2020

play as many games as possible”. The public backlash combined with potential of having to explain yourself in front of an arbitrator isn’t too appealing, is it? Let’s see...the way I have it figured you want to play between 50 and 60 games. Can’t make it 50 cuz that would be too
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 15, 2020

Prorated salary, so you’ll probably settle somewhere around there, potentially a couple games higher than that to throw people off the scent, isn’t that right, Rob? So in that scenario, let’s see, sept 27 end date to protect playoff tv schedules, 60 ish games, going to have to
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) June 15, 2020

Christian Yelich says Bauer's thread is where all baseball fans should turn.

If you’re a baseball fan and really want to know what’s going on. Look no further 👇🏻 https://t.co/2EvsVs0aPP
— Christian Yelich (@ChristianYelich) June 15, 2020

Jack Flaherty used a gif to describe his feelings.

pic.twitter.com/9WHZFHk1bo
— Jack Flaherty (@Jack9Flaherty) June 15, 2020

Evan Longoria responds to a fan who is telling players to take the pay cut and just play baseball.

I can’t work my job for the rest of my life if I wanted. A baseball lifespan is not a normal working lifespan. Sorry. https://t.co/uGBpPqhors
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) June 15, 2020

Tommy Pham makes his prediction for the season.

2020 no baseball
— Tommy Pham (@TphamLV) June 15, 2020

Jameson Taillon called the negotiations "slimy, tone deaf, greedy, lying, leaking, and overall out of touch."

These so called “negotiations” (or lack there of) have been sooo slimy, tone deaf, greedy, lying, leaking, and overall out of touch. This is not even close to what you dream of as a kid! Sorry to everyone for this playing out through the media during a pandemic. Brutal.
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) June 15, 2020

Lucas Giolito is shaking his head.