MLB could open season in 10-12 states

*Photo from Ballparks of Baseball*

   Don't get excited just yet, but it seems that MLB is inching closer to a plan to play the 2020 season. A new idea has been floating around, which involves opening up the season in 10-12 states, and up to 20 MLB ballparks are in play, when the season starts, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. People at the highest ranking MLB levels are now becoming more optimistic that there will be a season in 2020. 

   According to Rosenthal, MLB is still in the information gathering phase of this plan. After they get enough information, they are expected to bring the proposal to the players association. This reported plan would involve 3 divisions of 10 teams, and teams would only play within their division to limit potential exposure to COVID-19. It would re-align the divisions based on where the teams would be playing in this system, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. 

   The plan is pending approval from medical experts, and it would likely require more testing for COVID-19 to be available. It would likely eliminate the need for players to be in isolation outside of the ballpark, and players would have travel severely cut down, especially for the players who would get to play in their home ballparks. Any division re-alignment would likely keep rivals close together, though details of any potential division re-alignment aren't known.

   This is one of several plans that have been floated in the MLB circles to play baseball in 2020. Playing the entire season in Arizona, playing the season in Florida and Arizona, and playing the season in a 3 state system of Florida, Arizona, and Texas are just some of several ideas in play. Yesterday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that MLB was looking to have a plan for the season in place by the end of May. Most officials believe mid June to early July is the most realistic range for an opening day to take place with the current timeline.

   Despite all the plans being thrown out there, there is growing optimism that this plan is the one to beat. While the MLB and Players association still haven't engaged in discussions about it, some of Nightengale's sources believe it's all coming together now. Again, don't start jumping for joy yet, but the view of this plan just seems different then all the others. It might just end up working out.