Padres could play at an alternate facility should MLB continue with its plans for March 26GETTY IMAGES
The state of California yesterday "recommended a statewide limit on large gatherings through at least the remainder of March ... bringing into question the home openers" of the Dodgers, A's and Padres as MLB "grapples with how to handle the spread of the coronavirus," according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. The California Department of Public Health said, "Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled." Similar edicts already forced the cancellation of an exhibition game between the Giants and A's and the potential move of the Mariners' opening series, as sources said that that series would move "probably to the Phoenix area." Passan notes the Dodgers, A's and Padres "each hold Spring Training in the Phoenix area," and the Padres share a Spring Training facility with the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., which "could force one to play at a different facility should MLB continue with its plans for March 26." Sources said that high-level MLB execs are "expected to participate in a Friday phone call in which plans for the season would be discussed" (ESPN.com, 3/12). Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said the club has had conversations with “different stakeholders” on the matter (L.A. TIMES, 3/12).
SORTING OUT SEATTLE: In Seattle, Ryan Divish notes Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement on Tuesday restricting social gatherings of more than 250 people "did not catch the Mariners by surprise," as the organization had "prepared for this as a logical step in the city and state’s fight against the pandemic." Sources said that the Mariners and MLB have been in "consistent discussion for more than 10 days about the escalating situation in Seattle." Divish reports "multiple options have been discussed." The "least likely of the options" seems to be playing at an empty T-Mobile Park, as the idea of flying players into Seattle to play games "would likely be an issue" for the MLBPA. Sources added that the Mariners "would prefer not to travel to Texas and Minnesota to play the games." Divish: "The best and mostly likely option is for Seattle to remain in Arizona and play at least the opening series against the Rangers" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/12). Mariners manager Scott Servais said that he anticipates the club's Opening Day will "take place in Arizona." USA TODAY's Lacques & Nightengale note there is a sense that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "would prefer playing games at neutral sites rather than empty stadiums." But that "poses another question." How long will the Mariners, A's and, possibly, the Giants, be "prevented from playing at home, or in front of fans?" (USA TODAY, 3/12). Rangers GM Jon Daniels said, "Everything is being discussed, all those potential contingency plans are at least in discussions," but added, "It's a little early for me to sit here and break down the pros and cons of each option" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/12).
LEAGUE RESPONSIBILITY: CBSSPORTS.com's Mike Axisa wrote MLB has a "responsibility to protect its fans and the public at large, and it's time to suspend Spring Training and postpone the start of the regular season indefinitely, effective immediately." Axisa: "Playing without fans is a half-measure. That still puts a lot of people at risk. Playing games at alternate sites is not a good solution because the virus is almost certainly more widespread than we know" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/11). In DC, Thomas Boswell writes though no MLB team has "decided to play its Spring Training games in empty parks," they "should -- immediately." Boswell: "I’m alone on this. But I doubt I will be for long." The "time for MLB to act is now," as the league has a "chance to do the right thing at the right time." More Boswell: "Either cancel Spring Training games and play intrasquad games, or play without fans in the stands until Opening Day in two weeks. Don’t wait to see what happens" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/12).
