1. Yankees and MLBÂ take back seat to COVID-19
The New York Yankees, like all of MLB, is at a halt. The COVID-19 virus, also known as coronavirus, is front and center in the news and everyone’s daily life. With more significant restrictions, each day as to the size of gatherings, the Yankees, as well as all of the sports is taking a back seat to the deadly disease. The virus is growing at an alarming rate, as the death toll rises, Yankee fans’ thoughts have shifted from the loss of baseball to their own health and that of their families. Believe it or not Yankees fans may have put the Houston Astros cheating scandal in the rear-view mirror.
2. What to do with Yankee players and workers
With no baseball at the moment or in the near future, it has created all kinds of questions for MLB. The MLB and the players union are going to have to decide how players will be paid during the CDC imposed work stoppage. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has had to put aside the final parts of the Boston Red Sox cheating investigation as his attention has had to turn to the questions regarding the baseball season. As far as baseball workers in the stadiums around the country, MLB has mandated that all teams will donate $1 million to augment unemployment checks until baseball returns.
3. When will the season start
When the New York Yankees baseball season starts is the question of the day. The Yankees have no control over that. According to present guidance from the CDC, it appears and mini spring training could happen in late May with an early June start to the regular season. This, of course, is a best-case scenario. MLB has already said that it will follow CDC guidelines.
4. What will the 2020 Season look like?
What the New York Yankee season will look like is an intriguing situation. Again, the Yankees won’t have much control over that. All the teams, along with MLB, will make those decisions as it gets closer to a time that baseball can start. Different scenarios include baseball in November or a 120 game season. Whatever happens to the season, there will definitely be an asterisk after the season, lessening the genuine feel of the season. The season may do away with interleague games, and you may see more doubleheaders to get more games in.
The New York Yankees, the Houston Astros the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals all seem to be headed to postseason play. If the season is extended, we may find postseason games played in domed stadiums and neutral fields. Picture a Yankee National World Series with all seven games played at the Miami Marlins Park in 75-degree weather. The season could start with no fans in the stands, that’s not out of the question.
5. For the Yankees, it’s a time to heal
Although there is very little good about the baseball season delay, it does have it’s benefits for the Yankees. Earlier, we learned that Luis Severino would miss the entire season again due to Tommy John surgery. James Paxton had back surgery and would miss the first two months or so of the season. The delay in the start of the season will minimize the loss of pitching time. Aaron Judge, with a rib fracture, will have more time to heal. The same goes for Giancarlo Stanton with this calf strain. Catcher Gary Sanchez will have more time to get over his back soreness. The delay in the start of the season just may make the Yankees whole and ready to go when the bell sounds.
MLB Summary
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has made it clear that whatever decisions are made about the upcoming season, no matter how imperfect, will be better than the alternative. No baseball season at all.