SAN DIEGO _ The Padres will continue to pay their minor leaguers through the end of August, the Union-Tribune has confirmed.
The Athletic first reported the team would extend the $400-a-week pay through that date, which is just a week shy of when the minor league regular season is scheduled to end. All play in the minors has been suspended but not officially canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On top of that, the Padres, to this date, are the only reported team to commit to no layoffs of baseball operations personnel through October.
The Miami Marlins, as of early Wednesday afternoon, were the only other team to commit to continue paying their minor leaguers through August, a stark contrast to news in Oakland, where general manager David Forst informed his players that they would not be paid past May 31.
Major League Baseball in March announced minor leaguers would receive $400-a-week pay _ more than lower-level players receive but less than Triple-A salaries _ as well as medical benefits through the end of May or the start of the minor league season.
At this point, that season may not occur at all as Major League Baseball and the players association are deep in discussions this week over an 82-game proposal to start a big league season in early July.
How that impacts a minor league season _ or some semblance of one _ remains to be seen as the priority remains getting big leaguers back in action.
