On Monday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN's Mike Greenberg that he was no longer '100 percent' certain a 2020 season would take place.
According to Francisco Lindor, it won't be because of a lack of desire from the players.
Taking to Twitter on Monday night -- shortly after Manfred's comments were first made public -- the Cleveland Indians shortstop made his first public statement since the 2020 MLB season was delayed indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In doing so, Lindor made it clear he and the rest of the league's players are ready to take the field, they're just waiting for the owners to tell them when.
"The fans are ready to watch us play, the world is ready to watch us play, the coaches are ready to coach, the players are ready to play and I’m ready to play," Lindor wrote. "Put a time and a place; we will all be there. Let’s play ball!!!! #When&Where"
Lindor's comments come after weeks of public negotiations between the league's owners and players, which have largely centered on the length of the 2020 season and the players being asked to take a cut of their prorated salaries. Lindor saying, "Put a time and a place; we will all be there" appears to be a reference to Manfred's ability to set a season at any length so long as the players are paid their full prorated salaries, something former Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer suggested the owners may not be willing to do at this point for financial reasons.
"Players told you to set the season, but it’s too early to set the season right now, isn't it Rob?" Bauer tweeted. "Because then you’d have to explain why you’re only going to impose 50 games when we could easily play 70+ right now. The tactic is to bluff with 'no season' again and delay another 2-3 weeks until you clear the risk of 'not negotiating in good faith by trying to play as many games as possible.'"