[ESPN] MLB suspends spring training, delays Opening Day at least two weeks

They are rolling with a 60 man squad. Those not on the MLB team will be on the “alternative” team.

 

60 man taxi squad in case of injury/COVID. My guess is that those not assigned to main club that day will play game against Visitor’s taxi squad in order to keep fresh.

 

I hope this is the case. Maybe the minor league broadcast guys get to put these on radio?

 

Not sure how they're going to handle it... but I don't think its wise to have the backup team (that solely exists largely due to the risk of Covid) out there traveling or playing games against other teams', thereby putting them at risk of contracting it as well.

But in the end, there will be no way to guarantee prevention. They'll be able to detect and keep those who test positive away.

 

Teams better start practicing their bunting skills.

 

This runner-on-second rule is hogwash.

 

Random and a bit unrelated...but Puig is still a free agent? I know he’s a bit of a head case, but he’s too talented to be unsigned.

 

There's been a transaction freeze in place since the shutdown started.

As for Puig, in reality he's a good starter and nothing more. When you combine that with the fact that he's injury prone, and as you mentioned not an ideal locker room fit, he's in a weird spot. His free agent market is stuck in the dead zone of not good enough to be a huge contract target and too good for a small deal. He's in a spot where teams think they can get close to his production from a much cheaper player so teams aren't falling over themselves to bring him aboard.

So he was holding out for the best offer, then Corona hit.

 

Do better Astros...

 

Hmm. So are fans allowed at games this season?

 

Still TBD

But they should be offering refunds to those who want their money back.

 

As if their PR wasn't bad enough already... hate to see this. Smh

 

Just want to see it for the weirdness of it. "Well, our team lost today, but our B team smoked the Angels." The B teams probably have to go through testing protocol too.

 

Curious how other teams are handling this. It could be that all or most are doing the same as the Astros but we will only see the Astros as the headline story. Did the Rockets go the same route as the Astros?

 

I heard the Giants were interested in him before the freeze and still might be so wouldn't be surprised if he went to San Fran. Side note, Puig had offers from Korea but obviously he rejected it.

 

In a 60 game season with expanded rosters, almost any team could surprise and contend. He will be signed by someone for sure

 

MLB told clubs today they will be permitted to schedule up to three exhibition games before the end of Spring Training 2.0. If a club is not located near any potential opponents, it can schedule games against its initial regular-season opponent in days leading to Opening Day.

MLB has told clubs that once they remove any player from its 60-player pool, they can't bring that player back this year. Players can still go back & forth between big-league team & taxi squad.

MLB won't permit opposing scouts to attend taxi squad workouts or intrasquad games. And MLB hasn't decided yet whether to allow in-person scouting at any point this year - including the postseason.

MLB received sign off from the MLBPA earlier today for the 2020 schedule. Clubs do not appear to have received the schedule yet, however. Busy behind the scenes: Teams by 7 ET have to submit list of people for Tier 1 and Tier 2 access for spring training.

 

I am so glad JR is working this.

 

Train roll on