MLB and MLBPA Considering Insane Roster Changes for 2020 Season Plan
By Brady Williams
With Major League Baseball on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, league officials and the MLBPA are working on a plan to bring the sport back as soon as possible. On Monday, they drafted up one idea that would see players return in May only to be isolated in Arizona to play to empty crowds. Part of that plan would have teams support a 50-man roster.
The additional players would apparently be necessary to round things out with an adequate amount of substitutions. It will help in case of injury, or more likely, infection. Should a player become ill, the heavily-expanded roster would allow teams to have some flexibility.
50-man rosters, eh? Let's get weird. https://t.co/2LxsJLhHez
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) April 7, 2020
The plan doesn't fully consider the prospect of housing more players in hotels that would need to be staffed by an adequate amount of workers. MLB and the MLBPA are working alongside federal officials to try and come up with a solution to bringing back our national pastime during the pandemic, but each new idea comes with its own set of logistical problems.
Fans want baseball back, but it has to be done safely, and without any federal or local approval of a plan that isn't dangerous, they won't be able to move forward.
MLB just issued a statement. While they’ve considered many options including playing games in one city, they have neither sought nor received approval of fed or local officials or the players union for any plan and the health of players, fans and others remains the priority.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 7, 2020
The potential for some strange lineups would be exciting for many fans, and a roster surplus would certainly offer that. But for players, this solution doesn't fully meet personal needs, so don't be surprised if they're forced back to the drawing board.