MLB Suspends Operations, Starting This Afternoon

[TheHurl]

I can't imagine they would not have family with them, if they have one. Others, like Reese McGuire for example, will need to find things to do. Although the game schedule is apparently going to be intense, so free alone time might not cause problems.

 

40 man rosters means we might see guys like Franco, Kelenic, other guys of that ilk on the field.

 

so you are now bringing upwards of 5k of people into Scottsdale. Re-opening their hotels, making staff return to work. No way should the city or state be okay with this. I get it MLB knows it's in trouble (the NBA could easily finish their season in 1 city with multiple courts, with a whole lot less people, but you don't see them coming up with some stupid idea), but they have to just wait it out.

[Jimcanuck]

so you are now bringing upwards of 5k of people into Scottsdale. Re-opening their hotels, making staff return to work. No way should the city or state be okay with this. I get it MLB knows it's in trouble (the NBA could easily finish their season in 1 city with multiple courts, with a whole lot less people, but you don't see them coming up with some stupid idea), but they have to just wait it out.

 

By the time it gets going, mid-May or a little later, the caseload should be down significantly and widespread fast testing should be available (and certainly available for the MLB undertaking).

 

Should be feasible with the appropriate controls.

[Brownie19]

Wouldn't the hotel staff have to live at the hotel? Can't have them potentially bringing it into the hotels.

[JaysAllMighty]

By the time it gets going, mid-May or a little later, the caseload should be down significantly and widespread fast testing should be available (and certainly available for the MLB undertaking).

 

Should be feasible with the appropriate controls.

 

 

Ain't going to happen, dumb idea from them.

[Spanky99]

Seems a lot of people are missing the point... things ARE NOT returning to normal anytime soon, so it's a choice between new normal or nothing... if 'nothing' goes on too long there will be other problems.

 

3 phases

 

1. Virus propagation phase - r = ~ 2.5 - Virus grows uncontrolled, BJ Message board poll reveals no one cares about nothing burger virus. Few hundred thousand or so in North America get virus.

 

2. Virus reduction phase - r = ~ 0.5 - Extreme lockdown. Doors welded shut. People may hang out on Blue Jays Message Board but no where else

 

3. New normal phase - r ~ 0.9 - Somehow lead semi-enjoyable life... baseball in empty stadiums could be part of that.

 

4. Back to normal?? - months and months probably before this happens....

 

I don't claim to know the true r values, or optimal lengths of each phase... except that Phase 1 went from about Feb 1 to March 20th or so... Phase 2 is really only 3 weeks old and probably should go another 3 weeks... then it would be nice to get to phase 3.

 

Don't know anything really... but if people think phase 2 should go on much longer that's OK... just keep in mind quality of life, Economy, etc. etc. etc.

 

Also - I do not want virus to grow... so I'll take the best options that give us r=0.9 or so... if Arizona baseball can't be played within a system with r of 0.9 we shouldn't have it... if it can be played in a system with r = 0.9 we should have it.

 

lol @ the r-value, Olerud you kill me at times.

[glory]

Was listening to a sports radio show and one of the hosts made a point that some teams may lose more money if the Arizona plan happened (since they would have to pay the players their full salary without ticket sales to help with revenue) as opposed to if the season was cancelled. I don't know how true that would be but thought it was interesting. In theory, networks should value MLB's content more highly if they came back and nothing was on, but that would also depend on advertisers wanting to spend money on ads. If everyone is at home and not spending money on non essentials, then many advertisers wouldn't even benefit from their ads being on during the games.

 

I'm curious to see how far this goes. Passan's report might have been leaked intentionally to gauge public reaction, or leaked prematurely.

[Spanky99]

Was listening to a sports radio show and one of the hosts made a point that some teams may lose more money if the Arizona plan happened (since they would have to pay the players their full salary without ticket sales to help with revenue) as opposed to if the season was cancelled. I don't know how true that would be but thought it was interesting. In theory, networks should value MLB's content more highly if they came back and nothing was on, but that would also depend on advertisers wanting to spend money on ads. If everyone is at home and not spending money on non essentials, then many advertisers wouldn't even benefit from their ads being on during the games.

 

I'm curious to see how far this goes. Passan's report might have been leaked intentionally to gauge public reaction, or leaked prematurely.

 

They'd share it out in a lost season.

[Jimcanuck]

Wouldn't the hotel staff have to live at the hotel? Can't have them potentially bringing it into the hotels.

 

Potentially. I am sure MLB would be able to work something out, the hotel chains are starved for cash.

 

Could be a two week on, two week off thing for the staff, with a test before each two week on.

 

I am sure there are plenty of other matters that would need to be sorted.

[Beans]

I'm curious to see how far this goes. Passan's report might have been leaked intentionally to gauge public reaction, or leaked prematurely.

 

I think it's very likely that it was leaked prematurely, especially since they had other plans on which they were also deliberating.

[TheHurl]

Santa Clara County executive officer Dr. Jeffrey Smith told that county’s Board of Supervisors this week that he did not expect there would be “any sports games until at least Thanksgiving, and we’d be lucky to have them by Thanksgiving”, via the @latimes

[saskjayfan]

Was listening to a sports radio show and one of the hosts made a point that some teams may lose more money if the Arizona plan happened (since they would have to pay the players their full salary without ticket sales to help with revenue) as opposed to if the season was cancelled. I don't know how true that would be but thought it was interesting. In theory, networks should value MLB's content more highly if they came back and nothing was on, but that would also depend on advertisers wanting to spend money on ads. If everyone is at home and not spending money on non essentials, then many advertisers wouldn't even benefit from their ads being on during the games.

 

I'm curious to see how far this goes. Passan's report might have been leaked intentionally to gauge public reaction, or leaked prematurely.

 

There's no doubt the players would have to agree to a 40% pay cut in order for an Arizona plan to proceed. People talk about the health risks. I'm not sure the players would be more likely to contract Coronavirus in Arizona in a controlled environment vs being at home and going to the grocery store. They are at risk now. You have to have players willing to play for less and broadcasters, trainers etc willing to leave their families. You also need AAA teams playing. Injuries are going to happen and you need to be able to call players up.

 

It seems like a long shot overall, but it would be great to see baseball.

Edited April 9, 2020 by saskjayfan

[glory]

 

Major League Baseball, assessing myriad proposals, has discussed a radical plan that would eliminate the traditional American and National Leagues for 2020, a high-ranking official told USA TODAY Sports, and realign all six divisions for an abbreviated season.

 

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the proposal is one of several being discussed.

 

The plan would have all 30 teams returning to their spring training sites in Florida and Arizona, playing regular-season games only in those two states and without fans in an effort to reduce travel and minimize risks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The divisions would be realigned based on the geography of their spring training homes.

 

The plan would allow teams to return to the comforts of their spring training sites for three weeks of training, which would also include exhibition games, before opening the regular season and playing a schedule with wholly different divisional opponents.

 

Here's a look at one realignment structure:

 

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE

 

NORTH: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates.

SOUTH: Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles.

EAST: Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins.

 

CACTUS LEAGUE

 

NORTHEAST: Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics.

WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels.

NORTHWEST: Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals.

[Jimcanuck]

Looks like a plan, and we gonna have some baseball this year

 

Assume this means league wide DH and robo-umps

[Beans]

[Beans]

[BlueRocky]

 

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE

 

NORTH: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates.

SOUTH: Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles.

EAST: Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins.

 

CACTUS LEAGUE

 

NORTHEAST: Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics.

WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels.

NORTHWEST: Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals.

 

It would be fun to be in same division with the Tigers, Phillies, and Pirates. I’d imagine a lot of traveling fans if this was permanent.

[glory]

 

 

[Barkerfan23]

so are mlb players getting paid right now?

[KevinGregg]

so are mlb players getting paid right now?

 

They all got like 125k on the first day of the season. But otherwise no they are not making any money now. But then if the season resumes they will earn their normal pro-rated salaries

[Jimcanuck]

They all got like 125k on the first day of the season. But otherwise no they are not making any money now. But then if the season resumes they will earn their normal pro-rated salaries

 

So they are getting Trump stimulus money.

[Barkerfan23]

So they are getting Trump stimulus money.

 

trickle pickle down economy

[BlueRocky]

There’s news that the current COVID-19 swab test has a 30% chance of giving false negative. It’s pretty alarming. Coronavirus has been hitting the USA very hard, but even our local retirement homes and longterm care facilities are facing real emergencies right now.

 

The antibody tests can see if a person is potentially somewhat protected from the virus, but it’s not guaranteed as there might be multiple strains out there. But it could be a step in the right direction to putting certain people, and businesses back to work soon at least until a vaccine is developed.

 

One good thing is these antibody test could produce quick results, I heard somewhere within 10 mins?

 

It’s good to see the MLB taking part in this study, though this won’t have immediate impact on the covid situation.

[Abomination]

There’s news that the current COVID-19 swab test has a 30% chance of giving false negative. It’s pretty alarming. Coronavirus has been hitting the USA very hard, but even our local retirement homes and longterm care facilities are facing real emergencies right now.

 

The antibody tests can see if a person is potentially somewhat protected from the virus, but it’s not guaranteed as there might be multiple strains out there. But it could be a step in the right direction to putting certain people, and businesses back to work soon at least until a vaccine is developed.

 

One good thing is these antibody test could produce quick results, I heard somewhere within 10 mins?

 

It’s good to see the MLB taking part in this study, though this won’t have immediate impact on the covid situation.

 

From what I've read, Trump basically waived the verification process, which means that companies can create and sell tests without any proof that they actually work. I gather a lot of tests detect the common cold/flu as a positive test along with Coronavirus, which means people who think they're immune might not actually be so. I believe that's why the quick tests have taken longer to be approved here in Canada. They're trying to weed out the crap ones.

[glory]

https://nypost.com/2020/04/16/salary-structure-likely-point-of-contention-if-mlb-goes-fan-less/

 

Man, even during a pandemic the MLBPA and MLB can't agree on money. I actually side with the owners here, and I'm usually always pro player. If they are losing a large chunk of revenue by not having fans then they'd be operating at a loss just to pay the players their full salary. It would make no sense. The owners would have no incentive to have a 2020 season at all in that case, and it would just end up hurting the MLBPA because no owner is going to spend money the following season (which might happen anyway) if they end up losing so much in 2020.

 

Ultimately I think they'll agree to a percentage drop in 2020 salary when all is said and done, assuming they get the green light to play somewhere.

[BlueRocky]

[Grant77]

 

Swapping Cleveland and Detroit with Tampa and Miami would make a lot more sense. Also, Seattle is a real pain for travel.

[Carlos Danger]

Swapping Cleveland and Detroit with Tampa and Miami would make a lot more sense. Also, Seattle is a real pain for travel.

 

Don't agree. Think it should be the way it is.. Keep Tampa in our division and Miami and Tampa are East coast, not central. Why put East coast teams in central and take central teams and put in an Eastern Division?

[Grant77]

Don't agree. Think it should be the way it is.. Keep Tampa in our division and Miami and Tampa are East coast, not central. Why put East coast teams in central and take central teams and put in an Eastern Division?

 

Tampa and Detroit are at the same longitude. The goal of this alignment is to reduce travel, not to maintain arbitrary division names that aren't based on geography to begin with. Atlanta and Cincinnati are the next closest teams to Tampa.

[Boxcar]

 

I mostly like this. A lot of people are talking about swapping PIT and ATL and nty to that. East is already the strongest division, we need all the crap teams we can get.

[Beans]

 

Having the Dodgers and the Astros in the same division would make for some must-see TV.