Full 162-game season unlikely, Manfred says
On the day the 2020 Major League Baseball season was supposed to begin, commissioner Rob Manfred vowed the game would return as part of the recovery from the grips of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The one thing I know for sure is baseball will be back,” Manfred said. “Whenever it’s safe to play, we’ll be back. Our fans will be back. Our players will be back. And we’ll be part of the recovery, the healing in this country, from this particular pandemic.
“Look, my optimistic outlook is that, at some point in May, we’ll be gearing back up. We’ll have to make a determination, depending what the precise date is, as to how much of a preparation period we need, whether that preparation period is going to be done in the clubs’ home cities or back in Florida and Arizona. Again, I think the goal would be to get as many regular-season games as possible and think creatively about how we can accomplish that goal.”
The 2020 season was scheduled to begin Thursday. While Manfred said there’s nothing off the table yet in terms of the length and format of the season should baseball return, he said it’s unlikely a typical 162-game season can be played.
Options are being discussed between MLB and its players on how to return to action once a panel of infectious-disease experts gives Manfred the all clear.
Spring training was shuttered on March 16 and Manfred said there is a faction of baseball that’s pushing for a three- or four-week buildup to the season to take place in the home markets of all 30 teams. For example, the Milwaukee Brewers could play exhibitions in their home park against the Minnesota Twins or Chicago White Sox. The New York Yankees could play host to the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals and New York Mets.
“It will mark a real milestone in the return to normalcy,” Manfred said. “You saw it after 9/11, in terms of the resumption of play. I was there in Shea Stadium that night we began playing. It was one of the most memorable games I’ve ever attended. It’s an honour for our sport to be regarded in a way that we have been part of our country coming back from some horrific events, and we hope that we can play a similar role with respect to this one.”
Manfred didn’t shoot down the idea of playing doubleheaders and even shortening those games to seven innings. Manfred said it’s time for baseball to think outside the box.
“I have said publicly before that there’s some numbers in baseball you can’t change. Nine innings is one of them,” he said. “When I said that, I wasn’t thinking about this particular crisis. So I’m sure it’s something that will get some discussion.”
MLB plans to delay its annual draft at least one month to July.
ESPN reported the draft is likely to be shortened, with bonuses deferred due to uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
MLB and the players association are engaged in talks that would reduce the draft to between five and 10 rounds, ESPN reported. Signing bonuses with a small upfront payment and larger amounts due in July 2021 and July 2022 are planned for the deferral of bonuses.
The No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft was Oregon State catcher Adley Rutchsman, who signed for US$8.1 million, a record baseball bonus. All 2020 undrafted players would have a maximum signing bonus of $10,000, according to the report.