Yanks, Mets may move training to NYC /
The Yankees’ plan in holding a second spring training ahead of a shortened season was to use George M. Steinbrenner Field and the nearby minor league complex for the workouts in Tampa, where there already were about 20 players working out.
However, that plan now likely will be altered as all MLB camps on Friday were closed for deep cleaning after a recent Florida spike in positive tests for the coronavirus. This came after the Phillies had members of their organization test positive in Clearwater, and the Blue Jays shut down their spring training facility in Dunedin because a player showed signs of the virus. Plus, the NHL’s Lightning closed their facility on Friday.
Before the MLB bombshell, those other developments had the Yankees talking about a move from Tampa to Yankee Stadium for an abbreviated spring training, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
A final decision isn’t likely to be made until MLB and the players association agree on what a season will look like and when it will begin. Some teams have told coaching staffs to report to their big-league stadiums early next week in anticipation of an agreement being announced.
And it is unknown how the rise in coronavirus cases in Florida will factor into when/if a season will begin.
From a facility standpoint, Steinbrenner Field and the minor league facility is an easy choice over Yankee Stadium due to space that can handle a likely group of 60 players — 30 big-leaguers and 30 “taxi squad’’ players. Steinbrenner Field has three diamonds and the minor league facility has four compared to one in The Bronx. There is also more space to hit indoors and outdoors in Tampa compared to The Bronx. A Steinbrenner Field drawback is summer rains and heat.
From a safety standpoint, New York City, once the epicenter of the coronavirus, appears to be safer at the moment than Florida.
Mets considering Citi Field
Citi Field has become a possibility for the Mets’ spring training relaunch, should there be a season, especially now that MLB closed the spring training camps for all 30 teams.
With Florida experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, team officials were discussing the idea of shuttering plans to resume spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla, even before MLB’s decision. As recently as last week however, GM Brodie Van Wagenen was counting on any relaunch occurring at Clover Park, given the facilities and amount of space available. Players had been working out independently at Clover Park in recent weeks.