Players cautiously optimistic for start
PHOENIX – MLB players watch the alarming number of COVID-19 cases sweeping across the country, keep their eye on the NBA with at least eight games postponed since Sunday, and know that in five weeks spring training is scheduled to start.
They cautiously believe they can pull off a full 162-game regular season, their hopes buoyed by lessons learned from the shortened 2020 season, but also wary that the coronavirus could alter those plans.
Dodgers pitcher David Price, baseball’s biggest star to opt out last season with COVID-19 concerns, forfeiting $11.9 million, told USA TODAY Sports that he plans to play in 2021.
“I think baseball did a pretty good job with it last year, being able to limit the cases that spread,” said Price, one of nearly 50 current and former players who attended the Players Alliance tour stop in Phoenix. “They proved it can work. I’m sure they learned a lot from last year, and I look forward to seeing what kind of changes they make and plan on doing going forward. We’ll see what happens over the next month, but my plan is to be there for the start of spring training.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred informed the clubs Monday to prepare for the start of spring training on time, with a Feb. 17 reporting date, and opening day on April 1. Yet the plans are subject to change.
MLB, which preferred to delay the season by a month, and the players union, which rejected any delay without a full season of pay, still are negotiating health and safety protocols for players and staff members.
Yet after playing a 60-game season during the pandemic, players are optimistic they’ll be able to start Feb. 17 and play through the World Series in October without interruptions.
“Personally, I don’t have a ton of apprehension,” Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson said. “I know things are pretty bad right now, but at the same time, we got through last season and I feel like we can get through this season. I feel guys know what to expect, and if we have to do similar to what we did last year as far as protocols, we can do it. I think a lot of guys are ready to go.”
There were 43 games postponed last season, impacting 16 teams, with outbreaks on the Marlins and the Cardinals. Yet MLB was able to play the final two weeks of the regular season and the entire postseason without any disruptions.
Players also are encouraged that the NFL was able to complete its regular season, with the NBA and NHL seasons now taking place for the first time without a bubble.
“I definitely think guys are comfortable and have the expectation of what’s going to be in front of us going into the spring training,” outfielder Kevin Pillar said.
“When we were shut down last year and guys were asked to come back for the second spring training, we didn’t really know what we were getting into. Now we know. The blueprint is out there for successfully getting through a season.”
The trouble is that the pandemic continues to ravage the country. Arizona, the home of 15 teams in spring training, leads the nation for the highest rate of new cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cactus League officials would prefer starting the spring schedule a month later.
“I know how bad the COVID is, especially here in Arizona,’’ said Cole Tucker of the Pirates, one of many players who have not put down a spring training housing deposit in the event of a delay. “I’m still optimistic we can start on time, but maybe that’s the kid in me . ... We finished the season, there was a World Series, and hopefully we can do that again this year as more people are getting vaccinated.”