Will The MLB Suspend The 2020 season

[Thunder]

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/04/29/latest-weird-suggestion-a-radically-realigned-three-division-league/

 

The latest radical idea came out last night when Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that MLB has thought about starting in late June or early July with both the NL and AL totally scrapped and, in their places, a three-division setup consisting of 10 teams each with games being played in the actual home ballparks with no fans present.

 

The plan, Nightengale says, would eliminate the need for players to be in isolation and would allow them to still play at their home ballparks. At the same time, it would greatly reduce travel.

 

The setup would look like so, at least tentatively:

 

EAST: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rays, Marlins

CENTRAL: Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Cardinals, Royals, Reds, Guardians, Twins, Braves, Tigers

WEST: Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Athletics, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Rangers, Astros, Mariners

 

Not interested. I want real baseball or no baseball

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/04/29/latest-weird-suggestion-a-radically-realigned-three-division-league/

 

The latest radical idea came out last night when Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that MLB has thought about starting in late June or early July with both the NL and AL totally scrapped and, in their places, a three-division setup consisting of 10 teams each with games being played in the actual home ballparks with no fans present.

 

The plan, Nightengale says, would eliminate the need for players to be in isolation and would allow them to still play at their home ballparks. At the same time, it would greatly reduce travel.

 

The setup would look like so, at least tentatively:

 

EAST: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rays, Marlins

CENTRAL: Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Cardinals, Royals, Reds, Guardians, Twins, Braves, Tigers

WEST: Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Athletics, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Rangers, Astros, Mariners

 

The MLB will surely expand the postseason tourney to include more teams... maybe up to 15 will qualify...

 

Can Boston even finish 5th in that division? NY, NY, Wash, TB and Philly all look better on screen (and probably Tor); at least the Sox get to hit against Porcello.

[Thunder]

The MLB will surely expand the postseason tourney to include more teams... maybe up to 15 will qualify...

 

Can Boston even finish 5th in that division? NY, NY, Wash, TB and Philly all look better on screen (and probably Tor); at least the Sox get to hit against Porcello.

 

I miss Big Dick Rick already

[notin]

The MLB will surely expand the postseason tourney to include more teams... maybe up to 15 will qualify...

 

Can Boston even finish 5th in that division? NY, NY, Wash, TB and Philly all look better on screen (and probably Tor); at least the Sox get to hit against Porcello.

 

So you like the Sox (without Sale) over the Mets (without Syndergaard)?

[notin]

The MLB will surely expand the postseason tourney to include more teams... maybe up to 15 will qualify...

 

Can Boston even finish 5th in that division? NY, NY, Wash, TB and Philly all look better on screen (and probably Tor); at least the Sox get to hit against Porcello.

 

Well, the Sox came in third in a five team division last year, so finishing sixth in a ten team one seems roughly equal....

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So you like the Sox (without Sale) over the Mets (without Syndergaard)?

 

Nope, I listed them ahead (NY, NY meant both teams from the boroughs). Even without Thor, the Mets still have a rotation of starting pitchers.

[notin]

Nope, I listed them ahead (NY, NY meant both teams from the boroughs). Even without Thor, the Mets still have a rotation of starting pitchers.

 

I need more coffee...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I need more coffee...

 

Maybe the MLB will expand the playoffs to include 18 teams (or more than half, like the NBA and NHL)... they should anyway, just to keep as many fans as possible from changing channels to other TV-only sports. The Sox could conceivably fight it out to finish 6th, right?

[notin]

Maybe the MLB will expand the playoffs to include 18 teams (or more than half, like the NBA and NHL)... they should anyway, just to keep as many fans as possible from changing channels to other TV-only sports. The Sox could conceivably fight it out to finish 6th, right?

 

If they take 4 from 3 divisions, that’s already 12 teams. Currently they only take 10.

 

Taking 18 teams could take the postseason into January...

[jad]

https://www.rotoworld.com/baseball/mlb/player-news/headlines/9633116?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that "those involved at the sport’s highest levels are increasingly confident" that MLB games will be played in 2020.

While optimism is building -- in part because of the number of states lifting stay-at-home restrictions -- there's still no set plan for how exactly a season would work in the shadow of COVID-19. MLB is said to be evaluating a number of different scenarios -- including a limited number of states and stadiums where games could take place -- which will eventually have to be presented to the players' union. As Rosenthal notes within the piece, a possible start for Opening Day could range from mid-June to July 4, setting up an 80-100 game regular season which would run through October. The postseason would then stretch into November or perhaps early December. Players would need a brief training camp, likely somewhere around three weeks to get ready for regular season games. Much remains uncertain, but all signs point to games being played this year.

 

You've got that exactly right. And you also point out what MLB is using as a basic assumption: if states are opening up, then that means it's safe to play. But that assumption is ridiculous. The fact that a state opens up has nothing to do with the safety of play, since states are acting largely on political and economic considerations (and sometimes on baseless ideological ones). The end of June plan? ... well, it looks silly, but since MLB officials are still being paid, they are doing well to come up with multiple scenarios; maybe one of them will fit the rapidly changing future. MLB , sadly, has no idea what the situation will be even two weeks down the road. But if thinking we can have baseball by the end of June makes us feel good about things, then fine. Personally, I don't want my hopes dashed. I'm hoping rather we can have, say, football by spring 2021.

[Kimmi]

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/04/29/latest-weird-suggestion-a-radically-realigned-three-division-league/

 

The latest radical idea came out last night when Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that MLB has thought about starting in late June or early July with both the NL and AL totally scrapped and, in their places, a three-division setup consisting of 10 teams each with games being played in the actual home ballparks with no fans present.

 

The plan, Nightengale says, would eliminate the need for players to be in isolation and would allow them to still play at their home ballparks. At the same time, it would greatly reduce travel.

 

The setup would look like so, at least tentatively:

 

EAST: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rays, Marlins

CENTRAL: Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Cardinals, Royals, Reds, Guardians, Twins, Braves, Tigers

WEST: Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Athletics, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Rangers, Astros, Mariners

 

It's possible, but the players not being in isolation and the travel, although limited, concern me. That said, if they're talking about a late June or early July start, the coronavirus should be in pretty good check by then.

 

I'm not sure I like the format though. We'd be playing the same 9 teams over and over. I'd like to get a look at some of the other top teams like the Dodgers and Astros.

[Kimmi]

The MLB will surely expand the postseason tourney to include more teams... maybe up to 15 will qualify...

 

Can Boston even finish 5th in that division? NY, NY, Wash, TB and Philly all look better on screen (and probably Tor); at least the Sox get to hit against Porcello.

 

Red Sox Stats

 

@redsoxstats

·

10h

 

The projected talent distribution in the proposed 10 team eastern division.

 

 

 

In terms of team WAR, the Sox are #5 in this new division. The Yankees are definitely the favorites, while the Os remain pathetic.

 

With that said, a shortened season can change the outcome of what would typically happen in a full season. Pitchers can be used differently, which could be an advantage for a starting pitching challenged team, like the Sox. Don't count the Sox out!

[Kimmi]

I miss Big Dick Rick already

 

I have always thought that the Sox should have re-signed Porcello.

 

I am disappointed that they didn't.

[Kimmi]

You've got that exactly right. And you also point out what MLB is using as a basic assumption: if states are opening up, then that means it's safe to play. But that assumption is ridiculous. The fact that a state opens up has nothing to do with the safety of play, since states are acting largely on political and economic considerations (and sometimes on baseless ideological ones). The end of June plan? ... well, it looks silly, but since MLB officials are still being paid, they are doing well to come up with multiple scenarios; maybe one of them will fit the rapidly changing future. MLB , sadly, has no idea what the situation will be even two weeks down the road. But if thinking we can have baseball by the end of June makes us feel good about things, then fine. Personally, I don't want my hopes dashed. I'm hoping rather we can have, say, football by spring 2021.

 

I understand that the players don't want to be isolated from their families for 4 months, but I think I like the proposal to play in a few stadiums in AZ better than this new proposal. This keeps the players quarantined and eliminates the travel, which seems much safer in terms of keeping the disease from spreading.

 

As you alluded to, we are not at the point where any of these decisions can be made with any certainty.

[Bellhorn04]

I have always thought that the Sox should have re-signed Porcello.

 

I am disappointed that they didn't.

 

Me too. But it would have put them dangerously close to the 'cap', I think.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You've got that exactly right. And you also point out what MLB is using as a basic assumption: if states are opening up, then that means it's safe to play. But that assumption is ridiculous. The fact that a state opens up has nothing to do with the safety of play, since states are acting largely on political and economic considerations (and sometimes on baseless ideological ones). The end of June plan? ... well, it looks silly, but since MLB officials are still being paid, they are doing well to come up with multiple scenarios; maybe one of them will fit the rapidly changing future. MLB , sadly, has no idea what the situation will be even two weeks down the road. But if thinking we can have baseball by the end of June makes us feel good about things, then fine. Personally, I don't want my hopes dashed. I'm hoping rather we can have, say, football by spring 2021.

 

Of course it's not safe yet for ballplayers to huddle together in dugouts, bullpens and clubhouses. But if they want, at least they can still sit shoulder to shoulder like folks are doing right now in in Georgia nail salons... where they can also go down the street and get a tattoo. A lot of guys already have a lot of ink, so it'd have to be something short, like "RIP MLB"...

[mvp 78]

It's possible, but the players not being in isolation and the travel, although limited, concern me. That said, if they're talking about a late June or early July start, the coronavirus should be in pretty good check by then.

 

I'm not sure I like the format though. We'd be playing the same 9 teams over and over. I'd like to get a look at some of the other top teams like the Dodgers and Astros.

 

Me, I'd prefer fewer teams to play against. I hate interleague.

[mvp 78]

Of course it's not safe yet for ballplayers to huddle together in dugouts, bullpens and clubhouses. But if they want, at least they can still sit shoulder to shoulder like folks are doing right now in in Georgia nail salons... where they can also go down the street and get a tattoo. A lot of guys already have a lot of ink, so it'd have to be something short, like "RIP MLB"...

 

Then they should play every game in GA.

 

Badstreet...

[Kimmi]

Me, I'd prefer fewer teams to play against. I hate interleague.

 

I don't mind interleague at all. In fact, I like it. I like seeing players from teams that we don't get to see very often. That said, the two leagues need to be uniform about DH versus no DH. I prefer the DH, but I could deal with the pitchers batting as long as the rule is the same in both leagues.

[Thunder]

I don't mind interleague at all. In fact, I like it. I like seeing players from teams that we don't get to see very often. That said, the two leagues need to be uniform about DH versus no DH. I prefer the DH, but I could deal with the pitchers batting as long as the rule is the same in both leagues.

 

Same. I was excited for our NL Central slate this year. Yadi, Goldschmidt and Mikolas from the Cardinals were supposed to come to Fenway, as were Yelich, Braun, and Brock Holt. And don't forget our scheduled trip to Wrigley with Grandpa Rossie as their new manager

[Kimmi]

Same. I was excited for our NL Central slate this year. Yadi, Goldschmidt and Mikolas from the Cardinals were supposed to come to Fenway, as were Yelich, Braun, and Brock Holt. And don't forget our scheduled trip to Wrigley with Grandpa Rossie as their new manager

 

Yeah, there are a lot of good and exciting players that we rarely or never get to see because they play in the NL. I don't know if the Sox were scheduled to play the Dodgers this year, but I'd also be very interestd to see Betts and Price play against their former team.

[notin]

I don't mind interleague at all. In fact, I like it. I like seeing players from teams that we don't get to see very often. That said, the two leagues need to be uniform about DH versus no DH. I prefer the DH, but I could deal with the pitchers batting as long as the rule is the same in both leagues.

 

I am 100% League-wide DH.

 

I’d be against it if I thought pitchers took hitting seriously. But since it doesn’t look like they do, just get another bat in there for every team. The whole “changes the strategy” is actually a pretty dead argument, as it has been superseded by other strategies...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I am 100% League-wide DH.

 

I’d be against it if I thought pitchers took hitting seriously. But since it doesn’t look like they do, just get another bat in there for every team. The whole “changes the strategy” is actually a pretty dead argument, as it has been superseded by other strategies...

 

I'm old school, but also no school. I'm with Costas, who said if they play this year, it's a perfect time to try all proposed changes.

 

I'm not sure what those are -- DH for sure -- but why not go all out with new and innovative concepts? Tradition be damned -- it'll be a half season at best, and they're already changing divisional alignment, playoff structure, roster numbers, etc.

 

I say: pitch clock, definitely. Ear pieces -- for everyone -- why not. 7-inning doubleheaders, orange baseballs, designated runners, more day games -- yes, yes, yes, yes. Extra inning shortcuts -- I dunno; I think I'd rather they just have ties.

[Kimmi]

I am 100% League-wide DH.

 

I’d be against it if I thought pitchers took hitting seriously. But since it doesn’t look like they do, just get another bat in there for every team. The whole “changes the strategy” is actually a pretty dead argument, as it has been superseded by other strategies...

 

I have never bought into the whole strategy argument in keeping the pitcher batting. It can be argued that having a DH requires more strategizing.

[notin]

I'm old school, but also no school. I'm with Costas, who said if they play this year, it's a perfect time to try all proposed changes.

 

I'm not sure what those are -- DH for sure -- but why not go all out with new and innovative concepts? Tradition be damned -- it'll be a half season at best, and they're already changing divisional alignment, playoff structure, roster numbers, etc.

 

I say: pitch clock, definitely. Ear pieces -- for everyone -- why not. 7-inning doubleheaders, orange baseballs, designated runners, more day games -- yes, yes, yes, yes. Extra inning shortcuts -- I dunno; I think I'd rather they just have ties.

 

 

Oh God no...

[Kimmi]

I'm old school, but also no school. I'm with Costas, who said if they play this year, it's a perfect time to try all proposed changes.

 

I'm not sure what those are -- DH for sure -- but why not go all out with new and innovative concepts? Tradition be damned -- it'll be a half season at best, and they're already changing divisional alignment, playoff structure, roster numbers, etc.

 

I say: pitch clock, definitely. Ear pieces -- for everyone -- why not. 7-inning doubleheaders, orange baseballs, designated runners, more day games -- yes, yes, yes, yes. Extra inning shortcuts -- I dunno; I think I'd rather they just have ties.

 

I can see the need for some of these changes for this season. For instance, robot umps, which I am strongly against, would help with social distancing. Extra inning shortcuts or ending in a tie might be necessary if the league is planning to play more doubleheaders.

 

Once we return to 'normal', however, go back to the traditional ways and rules of playing the game.

[notin]

I have never bought into the whole strategy argument in keeping the pitcher batting. It can be argued that having a DH requires more strategizing.

 

And really the whole "do I pinch hit for the guy throwing a 3-hitter in the seventh inning" argument has been dead ever since coaches started tracking pitch counts. It's the seventh. He's at his limit and you have pitchers assigned to the 8th and 9th inning anyway...

[Kimmi]

And really the whole "do I pinch hit for the guy throwing a 3-hitter in the seventh inning" argument has been dead ever since coaches started tracking pitch counts. It's the seventh. He's at his limit and you have pitchers assigned to the 8th and 9th inning anyway...

 

Exactly. IMO, most of the times to pinch hit for the pitcher are pretty identifiable. Pretty much everyone who's watching the game knows when that substitution is coming.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Oh God no...

 

And since there'll be no crowd noise, stadium intercoms should blare tunes in entirety of each player's walk-up song...

 

It will help us party at home, where we'll all be watching (Kimbrel's soundtrack -- "Stranglehold" -- is long enough to last his whole inning).

[notin]

And since there'll be no crowd noise, stadium intercoms should blare tunes in entirety of each player's walk-up song...

 

It will help us party at home, where we'll all be watching (Kimbrel's soundtrack -- "Stranglehold" -- is long enough to last his whole inning).

 

If Mike Hargove was still playing, his walkup song would be "Ina Gadda Da Vita". And we'd get through the whole thing. Possibly twice...