News

Rays’ Blake Snell Says He Won’t Play Season For Reduced Salary – Will Other Players Follow His Lead?

Major League Baseball’s owners have approved the leagues proposal for starting the season, the MLB Players Association is set to vote on the proposal sometime in the next week. One of the big points in the league’s proposal has been that the players and the owners will split the revenue for this season 50/50. Not all players are on board with this idea.

Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching ace Blake Snell on Wednesday voiced his issues on playing on a reduced salary for the 2020 season, saying that he will not play and that it is “just not worth it.”

Snell said the risk is extremely high given the coronavirus pandemic. “Y’all gotta understand, man, for me to go – for me to take a pay cut is not happening, because the risk is through the roof,” Snell said while answering questions on his Twitch channel. “It’s a shorter season, less pay. No, I gotta get my money. I’m not playing unless I get mine, ok? And that’s just the way it is for me. Like, I’m sorry you guys think differently, but the risk is way the hell higher and the amount of money I’m making is way lower. Why would I think about doing that?”

The MLBPA is expected to reject the provision of the MLB’s proposal regarding the revenue split. Back in March, the league guaranteed players prorated salaries. 

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The 27-year old Snell is entering year two of the five-year contract worth $50 million he signed with the Rays a few years back. The former AL Cy Young Award winner is expected to make about $7 million next season, but said that he deserves to get the money that was agreed upon between himself and the Rays. “What do you mean it should not be a thing? It should 100% be a thing. If I’m gonna play, I should be getting the money I signed to be getting paid. I should not be getting half of what I’m getting paid because the season’s cut in half, on top of a 33% cut of the half that’s already there – so I’m really getting, like, 25%. On top of that, it’s getting taxed. So imagine how much I’m actually making to play, you know what I’m saying?”

CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Tyler Melito

Recent Posts

Naturalized Mexican Julián Quiñones Leads Mexico Past South Africa in World Cup Opener

Mexico began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa…

10 hours ago

Lionel Messi Scores In Pre-Tournament Friendly As World Cup Expectations Continue To Grow

Lionel Messi marked his return to Argentina's national team with a goal, providing another reminder…

10 hours ago

Chicago White Sox’s Braden Montgomery Shows Why He’s In The Big Leagues Now

Braden Montgomery powered the Chicago White Sox with a two-home run performance, delivering one of…

2 days ago

Managerial Changes Across Europe’s Top Football Leagues

Several of Europe's biggest football clubs are entering the 2026-27 season under new leadership, with…

2 days ago

After Knicks Make NBA History With Biggest Finals’ Game Comeback, Spurs Struggle To Figure Out How They Lost Game 4

In one of the most remarkable games in recent memory, the New York Knicks moved…

2 days ago

Deion Sanders Faces Pressure To Turn Around Colorado Buffaloes

The transition from college football to the NFL is one of the most uncertain periods…

3 days ago