Yankees and Mets players share their thoughts about the possibility of playing all games in Arizona

New York Yankees and New York Mets‘ players are surely missing baseball and everything that is related to a normal baseball season. After all, by this time, they were supposed to be playing big league games in the highest of competitions.

However, the current, ongoing coronavirus outbreak forced professional leagues, including MLB, to halt their operations and suspend games indefinitely. There is, as of now, no set date for the season to begin.

Despite the pandemic not being fully under control, MLB and the players’ association are currently discussing, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the possibility of playing all games in Arizona, with fans in the stand and some social distancing recommendations. That would allow the Yankees, the Mets and the other 28 teams, to begin the season in May.

That idea, however, represents several logistics challenges. Arizona would have to accommodate hundreds of players, staffers, game-day workers, broadcast staff, coaches, managers and team employees for months.

Mets’ and Yankees’ players weigh in

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, at least one Mets’ player is not so thrilled with the idea of playing all games in Arizona.

“One Mets player who asked not to be identified has concerns about the idea of 30 teams playing an entire summer in Arizona: ‘It’s the desert,’ he said. ‘Stuff doesn’t live there, it dies there,'” Puma wrote in his official Twitter account.

On the other hand, we have a testimony of a New York Yankees’ player, thanks to Joel Sherman. Adam Ottavino, one of the team’s highest-profile relievers, said he would be on board if MLB and the MLBPA decided to play all games in the desert.

“I’ve seen it (the Arizona idea). I don’t have any good insight but I would be in the camp of supporting the idea. I’m sure a lot would have to go right for it to actually happen but I’m hoping it can work because I want to play,” the pitcher said.

Colorado Rockies’ star third baseman Nolan Arenado also gave the thumbs up to the idea. He told Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, “If it’s safe, I’m in.”