Rob Manfred warned MLBPA league shutdown could come as early as Monday

This MLB season could be over barely a week after it began.

While the NWSL, WNBA and NBA have all enjoyed great success with controlling COVID-19 inside of a league “bubble”, the MLB’s attempt to play a somewhat normal season is failing miserably. Commissioner Rob Manfred has been threatening to call the whole thing off, and now TV partners have been warned that the league may be shut down by Monday.

The shutdown discussion comes in the wake of coronavirus outbreaks on several MLB teams over the last week. 20 members of the Miami Marlins organization, including 18 players, tested positive after their series in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Two Phillies staffers have tested positive, but players have all remained negative so far. Six members of the St. Louis Cardinals have also returned positive test results, bringing the league to a total of 15 postponed games so far.

The MLB season could be on its last legs

None of the professional leagues competing in a bubble have seen any positive tests except for the MLS, so it’s clear what the problem is with the MLB’s system. With teams traveling around the country and largely unsupervised outside of team activities, it’s far harder to ensure safety procedures and protocols are being followed. There are rumors that the Marlins’ outbreak came after team members went out partying in Atlanta.

Originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Manfred said the league will be shut down if there is another jump in positive tests or if players continue to skirt safety measures off the field. The Phillies and Marlins will not be allowed to play until Monday at the earliest, but it makes sense that if teams can’t turn things around, that could be the potential end date for the entire league.

There’s blame on both sides for this one. Manfred and the MLB clearly didn’t have a strong enough plan to actually control the virus or ensure the safety of all players. They rushed to a deal after going through messy CBA negotiations, but forgot about the global pandemic in the midst. Players are also being completely irresponsible and ruining the season for their teammates and other clubs so that they can have a night out.

No one wants baseball to end, but at this point it might be the only option to prevent worsening the virus around the country. The MLB doesn’t deserve its television contracts or sponsorship money if it can’t even keep its athletes safe for a couple of weeks.