Jeter: 'There is no trust' between players, owners

Miami Marlins part owner and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter thinks the negotiations between the league and the players' union could have gone a lot smoother. Particularly without so much negotiating through the press.

"It was disappointing, it was embarrassing at times; the back and forth," Jeter said during the "Marlins Line Drive" interview series. "There is no trust (between owners and players) is the best way to put it."

Jeter, who was slated to be officially inducted into Cooperstown this summer but had his ceremony postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, made over $265 million during his playing career with the New York Yankees. In 2017, the superstar shortstop latched onto a group led by millionaire businessman Bruce Sherman to purchase the Marlins for $1.2 billion. Jeter was named the team's chief executive officer.

"It was pretty sad to see the back and forth being played out publicly in a time like now. We have so many people filing for unemployment throughout the country; over 30 million people, 40 million people with no jobs. And they really don't want to hear owners and players going back and forth about how much money they deserve and how much money they need.

"I get it, I was a player. I feel as though players should fight for everything that they feel as though they should have. And I'll always support them in that sense. But, in this particular case, I think some things should have been done behind the scenes."

After months of back and forth in the media - particularly regarding the league's promise of full prorated payments to players - Major League Baseball mandated a shortened 60-game season last week. Players will earn their prorated salaries but the campaign will not include an expanded postseason, which players were open to implementing as an extra source of revenue for the league.