Players counterA counter offer from the players came the following day, and it did not go over well with ownership. FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. By all accounts, the owners were outraged about the counter, believing they had reached a deal to play 60 games. If the players reject the offer, Manfred will have to mandate a shortened season, which will in turn lead to the players filing a grievance, by all accounts. Now its in the hands of the players to decide whether this deal is enough to finally start playing baseball.