MLB Plans 2020 Season
Granted, this a site about the minors, but after weeks of bickering between MLB and MLBPA the news dropped yesterday that there is a 60-game regular season planned for 2020.
Perhaps now we’ll get official word about the fate of the minor leaguers, but it seems all but certain that there will be no minor-league baseball played. To that end, yesterday news broke that 15 minor-league teams have filed a federal lawsuit alleging breach of contract for the denial of claims for business-interruption insurance.
[Insert variation of “It’s always about the money”]
Details about the planned season are coming to light. Among the notable that would apply to “our guys”:
- Rosters will begin with 30 active players, reduce to 28 after two weeks, then (presumably two weeks later) to 26. They will not expand to 28 in September.
- The trade deadline will be August 31. The deadline for postseason rosters will be September 15
- Teams will be allowed to keep 60 players on call. It’s not clear about the status or pay of the 20 players not on the 40-man roster, but it’s probably safe to assume they will be paid less than the 40-man players
- The transaction freeze will be lifted on Friday, which should give us a better idea about “the other 20”
Much has already been made about some of the rule changes, including the NL joining the 20th century with a DH, position players not restricted from pitching, and the runner-on-second for extra innings.
More will probably be made about the testing protocols, which are extensive and will undoubtedly be fodder for the folks who believe the coronavirus is a hoax and/or those whose grasp of science extends little beyond the manufacture of methamphetamine.
But as the pic suggests, there’s not nearly enough discussion about how or why MLB will be any different than college football or the NHL, or what’s already happened on a smaller scale.
Nor has there been much ado about how cases are increasing in 27 states and commonwealths, in which 16 of the 29 U.S. teams play and how only four (4) teams play where cases have been declining (Illinois, DC, and Maryland). The Blue Jays are another matter altogether, with Toronto and its spring training facility presumably out of bounds.
So rejoice if you’re willing to embrace cognitive dissonance, but forgive me if I’m hesitant to take a swim in that river in Egypt.
Yes, I’m still very much in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode.
There are a number of details that will affect our guys, though. How will options work when there’s not really a minor-league team to be optioned to? Will there be some leniency for guys who are out of options? Guys like Difo or Sanchez might be the 30th man at the start of a season, but will they have to be DFA’d at cutdown time since they’re out of options?
I’m also trying to remember who is out of options; I know it’s those two, plus Michael Taylor, Voth, and Ross, while Fedde and Read were granted additional options.
Also, how would a 60-man pool work? Would you still have to DFA someone from the 40-man to add someone from the additional 20 NRI pool? Or are some of those things going to be waived for this abbreviated season? (Also can’t remember all of the NRIs from the spring; I guess Crowe was the most prominent pitcher not yet on the 40-man, Yadiel Hernandez and Nick Banks among the hitters.)
That expanded pool won’t do much for the Nats with hitters, but they do have a bunch of upper-level arms not on the 40-man who might get a quick look if they don’t have to be DFA’d: Condra-Bogan, German, A. Lee, Fuentes (what becomes of the rest of his suspension?), Mario Sanchez, Bacus, Istler, maybe even Cate.
I should note that if many of those pitchers are getting the call that the big club will be in dire straits, as they’ve got a good selection of bullpen arms on the 40-man. That said, they also can’t do like they did for the first two months of last season and keep hoping that struggling relievers will improve.
Also, in lieu of minor leagues, understand that MLB will maintain two teams of unaffiliated players (about 30 players on each team) in Nashville. They will pay each player $400 a week (hopefully plus a legit per diem), and the players will workout and play “games” to stay ready. Any major league team can pick up an unaffiliated player during the season for a fee which will go to recoup the cost of maintain these rosters.
A couple of questions related to the Nats 60 man roster. Realize the COVID crisis makes West Palm unappealing, but does Nats stadium and surrounding facilities have the capability to train 60 players? Maybe they also use the F-burg facility, or Shirley Povich field, but that would keep everyone spread apart. Just not sure if the Nats facility is equipped to train more than about 30 players.
Also, got to believe that there will be some scrimmages or even “minor league” games between the Nats inactive players on the 60 man roster and the inactive players on nearby MLB teams (like the Orioles and Phillies). Playing actual games is the only way to keep players sharp. So, I don’t think taking BP and fielding ground balls is going to keep players ready.
I don’t know if Fredericksburg has included any outlying fields in its new complex. There are three outlying fields in Woodbridge in addition to the abandoned Pfitz, although the stadium is the only one with pro dimensions.
I just found out AFTER THE FACT that the Fredericksburg Nationals just had an open house over the weekend.
Would have loved to have gone there. Hey, it’s the closest to a game I can have this year.
Just saw that there’s a good chance the taxi squad for the Nats looks to be happening in Fredericksburg. Not etched in stone yet but it does make sense.
There are also VERY limited dressing-room/training-room facilities at the Pfitz, and probably at other minor-league parks as well.
This may have changed with the MLBPA tweaks to the proposed safety protocol, but MLB had proposed that no one would use the locker rooms for changing before and after games/practices. Players are expected show up in uniform, and go straight to the field. After the game/practice, players leave and shower and change at home (just like Little League). This is the practice the Diamondbacks had been following for voluntary workouts.
The NY/NJ/CT quarantine announcement may have just thrown yet another monkey wrench into the MLB plan. FLA (Marlins, Rays) in on their quarantine list, and it’s possible GA (Braves) will get added. Toronto also has a mandatory quarantine. So lots more hurdles for AL and NL East.