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Rob Manfred Open To Future Neutral-Site World Series

Rob Manfred noted the coronavirus would lead to losses approaching $3B for MLB as a wholeGETTY IMAGES

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the concept of a neutral-site World Series is at least worthy of further discussion after concluding the first in history at Globe Life Field. "You should always think about innovation," Manfred told THE DAILY. "I wouldn't say a neutral-site World Series is completely off the table. There were things that we saw in Texas that were advantages for us. You can plan. You can take out travel. You can pick sites that eliminate weather problems. Those are all things worthy of conversation and discussion. I think the big (weight) on the scale in favor of our traditional format, the thing that really matters at the end of the day, are fans in home markets." Globe Life Field was selected this year in part because it would eliminate further travel for players and allow for a bubble-like environment. Fox Sports’ John Smoltz said that he would love for the World Series to be a week-long event in one neutral-site city. He pointed to the reduction in travel following the long grind of the regular season.

TURNER SITUATION STILL UNDER REVIEW: After a challenging start to the truncated 60-game regular season, MLB tightened protocols and went nearly 60 days without a positive test among players or personnel. That streak ended in Game 6 of the World Series, when Dodgers 3B Justin Turner tested positive, prompting his immediate removal from the game in the eighth inning. Had the Rays forced a Game 7, the league would have had two options, according to Dr. Zach Binney, an epidemiologist with Oxford College at Emory University: Postpone Game 7 at least 10 days or play Game 7 as scheduled but without Turner and without those who medical experts deemed had close contact with Turner. Manfred said the decision would have been "wholly dependent on test results and advice from experts.” MLB is investigating Turner's post-game decision and actions when he took part in the Dodgers' post-game, on-field celebration. Manfred declined to comment on any personal frustration he has with Turner. Manfred: "Before I say anything more about that situation, I want to make sure I understand exactly what happened, who said what to whom, what the players on the Dodgers were thinking and make my comments when they can be fully informed."

PLAYOFF FORMAT A SUCCESS: Manfred commended the expanded 16-team playoff structure that included a March Madness-like flurry of opening-round games. He likes the idea of a 12- or 14-team playoff structure moving forward, one that gives a reward such as a first-round bye to the teams with the best records in each league. Any changes to the playoff structure for ‘21 and beyond will be negotiated with the MLBPA. "The expanded playoffs I thought were fantastic for the sport," Manfred said. "I think the two-out-of-three series, where we gave our fans a bracket and had baseball around the clock, were really good for us. Sixteen, too many teams going forward. But there is a lot of room between 10 and 16. That room gives you the flexibility to structure the playoff system in a way that preserves the significance of the regular season and gives teams an incentive to play hard all the way through."

LONG ROAD AHEAD: The regular season that was played in empty ballpark resulted in a significant financial hit for teams that typically rely on gate receipts for some 40% of their revenue. And various clubs are implementing layoffs or furloughs on the baseball and business side. Manfred: "The (operating) losses are going to be between $2.7 and $3 billion. I'm talking about cash losses. When you lose $3 billion in cash in one year, that's pretty rough.” He added, “The clubs did a tremendous job with liquidity, securing funding for the losses. There were no bailouts or any of that in terms of central baseball having to step in. … The bad news is the price of that hard work is that we're going to go into '21 with unprecedented levels of debt.” The total debt for the league’s 30 teams is $8.3B.

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