MLB to send return to play proposal to players union

*Photo from NBC Sports*

   It's almost time for baseball. Major League Baseball is expected to send a return to play proposal for the 2020 season to the players association within a week in an attempt to start the 2020 season, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Teams have been encouraging players to begin preparations for a spring training in mid June and a season to start in early July. 

   A significant amount of hurdles are left to clear, but MLB likes the idea they have, and conversation with the players association about the plan is a major step forward in the right direction. At this point, the season has been delayed 6 weeks. Former player Trevor Plouffe started circulating news a few days ago that spring training could begin as early as June 10, with the first week of July being a target date to start the season. Some teams are being specific when reaching out to players in terms of timetables, but others are being more general and just giving time ranges. 

   If the season were to begin in July, the regular season would likely be somewhere between 80 and 100 games so as to not extend the season deep into the winter, which would likely have an effect on the start date of the 2021 season. Teams active rosters would also likely see expansion, with 30 man rosters being likely, and up to 50 players would be available for use at the major league level. The likelihood of expanded rosters will have an effect on the season of minor league baseball, though that effect has yet to be seen. 

   Passan also reported that there is considerable momentum towards playing games in teams home cities, rather than the previous plans of Arizona and a 3 state system. Spring Training would likely be held in each individual ballpark as well, with teams relying on intrasquad games to build up for the season. MLB would still need the approval of the White House and top health officials at the federal level in addition to the players association to get the season going, but there are steps being taken with this plan.

   There are still things that need to be discussed, such as what the league would do if and when a player tests positive for COVID-19, as well as where to get the large amount of testing that would be needed to stage a season, but there seems to be hope here. While lots of things regarding the 2020 season remain in doubt, optimism is growing. It's almost time to get excited.