Baseball's labor battle: Ten things you should know about the drama

Baseball's labor negotiations have turned out drama that can feel like the plot twists of a seven-game World Series. Instead of thrilling people, though, this is a drama that has left many baseball fans angry and confused.

There's really no way to mitigate the anger that you may be feeling. But here are some questions and answers that could help you through the current situation. Just promise to keep in mind that anything you hear in the moment can change significantly a few hours later.

So, in brief, what's the latest?

After weeks of sniping through the media and press releases, commissioner Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, the players' union director, met face-to-face for several hours on Wednesday in Arizona. Signs of encouragement appeared to be that Manfred left the meeting at one point to talk to a committee of team owners and union leaders were quiet when talks ended for the day. But there is no deal.

When was the previous time Manfred and Clark met in person?

Face-to-face, you mean? It was March 14, just before spring training was halted.

What changed on Wednesday?

What do the Twins think?

Owner Jim Pohlad told columnist Sid Hartman his optimism comes and goes, and put the importance of playing in this context: "Baseball at its best is an activity, a diversion for people for enjoyment, social interaction, competition, so I think in all those respects with what everybody has gone through, it is very important. But we can't in any way minimize the importance of the health of people in the country as a result of the pandemic and the fight for social justice. Because those are two way more important issues than baseball."

But what about the players?

That's harder to say. Most have stayed quiet and, unlike most other team sports, players haven't been talking to the media on Zoom or elsewhere. Some have used social media, though. Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak and others have used the hashtag #LetTheKidsPlay and a number of stars, including Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole, have tweeted the phrase "tell us when and where" this week. That phrase comes from the commissioner's authority to unilaterally dictate the terms of the season, if he chooses,

Why hasn't that happened?

What are the odds of a season?

Even on Tuesday, the morning after Manfred walked back his 100% confidence in games being played, one gambling website had the odds at 2/5. In other words, betting $5 on the season being held, would get you only $2 in winnings.

What happens now?

Things have to move quickly. If it's going to take four weeks for players to be ready to play (and MLB is really hoping for a July 19 or 20 start of the season) a deal needs to be struck in the next few days. It may be more realistic to look at an August 1 starting date.

How does the coronavirus figure into this?

So what else should I know?