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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell says there’s no way in hell he’s stepping on the mound for a penny less than his guaranteed salary … slamming the MLB’s recent proposal in an emotional Twitch stream.
Of course, the league came up with a plan for a shortened season and a 50-50 revenue split between the owners and players earlier this week … in hopes of salvaging the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Y’all gotta understand, man … for me to take a pay cut is not happening, because the risk is through the roof,” The Cy Young winner said Wednesday.
“It’s a shorter season, less pay.”
FYI — 27-year-old Snell is in the middle of a 5-year, $50 million deal and was set to make $7 million in 2020.
He continued … “I gotta get my money. I’m not playing unless I get mine, okay? 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?”
When fans criticized Snell’s stance in the Twitch comments … he doubled down.
“Bro, I’m risking my life. 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.”
The revenue split is likely to get rejected when it’s officially presented to the MLB Players Association … considering the league already agreed to $170 million in up-front money to keep players paid during the pandemic back in March.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer also weighed in on the proposal … and he’s siding with Snell.
“It doesn’t sit well with me. Slightly lighthearted, but if I’m gonna have to trust my salary to Rob Manfred marketing the game to make more money for the game, I am out on that.”