Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are cutting benefits of baseball operations employees due to the COVID-19 stoppage. Specifically, they have suspended their contributions to employees’ 401(k) plans.
A Pirates spokesman says “These efforts were made to help alleviate the need for furloughs or further salary cuts as this time.”
Teams have taken a variety of different approaches to employment matters since the pandemic began, with some teams -- such as the Padres have committed to paying employees through October, though some will be paid at a reduced rate. Most teams have committed through May and are said to be assessing how much longer after that they will pay salaries. The Pirates, Drellich notes, are the first team known to be cutting benefits.
