Jays told to ‘hang tight’ as push made for Toronto camp

If it means the opportunity to play games on familiar turf — and out of the disaster that is Florida — Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said his team is willing to go above and beyond the strictest of safety guidelines to make it happen.

Now comes the challenge of convincing health and government officials in Canada that blockades should be removed for a team that has had an undisclosed number of players and staff record positive tests for the COVID -19 virus this week in Florida.

Despite having to ready 60 players and a coaching staff for a training camp due to begin in less than a week, the Jays are still a team with no fixed address. While the other 29 MLB teams prepare to go back to work at their home stadiums, the Jays first need to get government and health clearance to set up shop here.

Either that or roll the pandemic dice and get to work in Dunedin, Fla., now that Shapiro said the club has ruled out all other options.

“There is more comfort coming to Toronto and conducting training camp here under the conditions and circumstances here,” Shapiro said on a Friday conference call with baseball reporters. “But if we have to do it in Florida, we will do so with diligence and detail and do our best to keep players out of harm’s way.”

As the Florida numbers have spiked alarmingly over the past week, Shapiro and the Jays have stepped up lobbying efforts with health officials from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Shapiro certainly isn’t about to disclose the details of those talks — or even the prospects of success — but did say the Jays are willing to go above and beyond the exhaustive safety protocol manual issued by MLB.

That would include creating “a modified quarantine for our players and if we move to a regular-season scenario for visiting players,” Shapiro said. “That would be in addition to the MLB protocol.”

While safety is paramount, time is also of the essence for the Jays. Players have been told to be ready to ship north, but not to go so far as to make travel plans until the team can make an actual decision. The mess puts the Jays in a situation unlike any other team.

“A deadline does not exist formally,” Shapiro said. “We have to deal with the reality that we have logistical issues that we have 60 players and staff to transport. If we delay a decision too long, there are implications in our readiness and competitiveness.”

Shapiro said the team isn’t seeking “extreme special treatment” from Canadian governments and health authorities and the team is “understanding and deferential to public health and safety” concerns.

That said, he acknowledged Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto mayor John Tory have been open to discussing the Rogers Centre option. “Their guidance and support has been very strong throughout the entire time I’ve been talking,” Shapiro said. “It’s been encouraging.”

On a Zoom call with GM Ross Atkins on Thursday, players were apprised of the alternatives and told to “hang tight.”

Shapiro said the team has ruled out Buffalo, home of the team’s triple-a affiliate, as well as splitting games with the Tampa Bay Rays.

“There are many things within our control that enable us to stay healthy. The players are going to be constantly educated on that and provided protection wherever possible,” Shapiro said.

At this point, wherever is most definitely the operative word.