MLB: The Latest Plan for Restart Includes Playing in 3 Different States

The latest plan being discussed by MLB to possibly restart the 2020 season includes teams playing in three different states.

As we hopefully move further away from the coronavirus outbreak — and I know we still have a ways to go — and MLB does finally return, we could see teams limited to games in just three states across the country.

Other plans before have talked about having all teams play in a bubble in Arizona, while another plan talks about half the league playing in Arizona and the other half in Florida at their respective spring training facilities.

But the latest plan as reported by R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports adds another state the mix saying games could also be played in Texas.

The proposed plan for league sources doesn’t go into great detail, but Anderson points out they could use the Major and Minor League stadiums in those areas that have roofs in order to play as many games as possible throughout the day.

It’s unclear how MLB would divide the teams if they go this route. It would make sense to put 10 teams in each spot and you could play five games a day at each location.

But then how would you do the playoffs?

I guess you could take the top two teams from each location and then two Wild Card teams and have an eight-team playoff. But then how do you fairly select the Wild Card teams.

Any other scenario would likely require teams to have a bye in the first round and I’m not a huge fan of byes in baseball. I think that’s more of a detriment to the top teams than a benefit.

I still think the best plan is for all of the teams to play in Arizona. That way you keep them all in one location, which should hopefully make it safer for the players (and hopefully their families if they’re allowed in).

But I also think the plan to split them between Arizona and Florida makes more sense than using Texas as well because of how that would complicate the playoffs.

Either way, it’s good to hear another idea for a possible MLB restart. I’m really hoping we get some news by mid-May on when MLB could pick things back up.