Still at odds over an economic plan, there are new doubts as to whether Major League Baseball and the Players Association can put aside their differences and finalize a plan for the 2020 regular season.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred can impose a schedule if he chooses, but is more reluctant to do so over the possibility of the union filing a grievance. As a result, Manfred changed his tone and can no longer guarantee some form of a 2020 campaign will be played.
Despite the lingering dispute, Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark reportedly met in person and the two sides are nearing an agrement.
Meanwhile, teams have stayed ahead of the curve in the event a positive development breaks. Players are beginning to hold workouts again at their home stadium and Spring Training facilities as states loosen restrictions brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
If a 2020 campaign is ultimately agreed upon or mandated, roster depth figures to be the focus of many teams to combat potential injuries and illnesses.
Teams have already been directed to find a site for their taxi squad players within 100 miles of their home ballpark to stay sharp and prepare for call-ups, via J.J. Cooper of Baseball America:
In an indication that the taxi squad setup is the likely outcome, multiple officials told Baseball America this week that MLB teams have been instructed to find a site for their taxi squads to play within 100 miles of their MLB stadium. It is expected that those workouts will not be full games. Without an opposing team to play, there likely will not be enough players for taxi squads to play full split-squad games.
Instead, the taxi squad will likely play simulated games where pitchers and hitters get much-needed live innings and at-bats to stay in game shape and be ready to be added to the MLB roster.
Simulated games will likely be the only way taxi-squad players can get in reps. There presumably won’t be enough players for full split-squad games, and the Minor League Baseball season is expected to be cancelled altogether.
Prior to the pandemic, rosters were expected to expand to 26 players for the regular season. With player health and safety being the top priority, that number may very well increase to give teams more flexibility.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, using their High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes facility would be appear to be the most likely scenario.
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