Many fans do not think there will be a full season in 2021. While I cannot guarantee there will a 162 game season, I think we are likely to see at least 120 to 140 games… and maybe 162 games. If you just have “sight” you might not see it. I think it takes “vision” to see it. In the Summer of 2020, just about every media outlet said there was “no way a vaccine would be approved in 2020“. One journalist said it “would take a miracle” and another said he “would bet his left arm it would not happen.” Don’t make this political, but we will soon have two, not just one vaccine and millions will get vaccinated this month. Some people simply enjoy saying it can’t be done while others just do it.
Most people thought it was not possible. Everyone knows that vaccines take five to ten years to develop… until they don’t! They were relying on “sight” but some had “vision” and the vaccine was developed in record time. The military and other agencies and businesses have been gearing up for the vaccine and it is now gaining steam. Never underestimate the power of the human spirit… especially when they unite in a common cause.
People Who Say It Cannot Be Done Should Not Interrupt Those Who Are Doing It
However, the MLB owners and the MLBPA are at odds over when the season should start. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported this on Tuesday:
Major League Baseball executives and owners, wanting players to be vaccinated before arriving to spring training, would like the 2021 season to be delayed until May, even if it means shortening the season to 140 or fewer games.
The Major League Baseball Players Association, believing it proved a year ago that teams can safely adapt to protocols, wants the season to start on time, playing all 162 games with full pay.
And here we are, with just two months before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training, and no one has any idea what will happen.
“I don’t see a snowball’s chance in hell that spring training can start with protocols in place,’’ a National League owner told USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue. “I think there will be significant pressure for players to get the vaccine first before they go to spring training, and if that has to be moved back to April and play 130 games, so be it.
Both sides have sight, but lack vision. Just like no one thought a vaccine could be developed in under a year, I happen to believe that baseball can play at least 140 games if not 162. Baseball is still “America’s Pastime.” Last I checked it still had an anti-trust exemption (although that could change in the future). With lots of American’s staying home, why not make arrangements for MLB to have pitchers and catchers report on March 1st… or thereabouts? America would enjoy it and it would somehow brighten a tough time for all.
I really have no clue how many players, coaches, officials, employees and the like report to Spring Training, but it has to be between 1,000 to 2,000 per team. That means that as players and other employees show up, they get the vaccine and then the second round 21 days later. Problem Solved! VISION! 30,000 to 60,000 vaccines go to MLB. I would endorse it. They can have mine – I’ll take it later!
The problem is that Manfred Mann and his band of owners are not communicating with the union. They are negotiating a new playoff deal and the union is totally out in the cold. They are just assuming that the season will be shortened, but the players have not been consulted. They are holding the DH as a bargaining chip to get the union to agree to expended playoffs, but the players want the as well.
They are contracting the minor leagues and are shoving a new contract down the club’s throats that they chose to keep. Negotiation is a dialogue between two or more people or parties intended to reach a beneficial outcome over one or more issues where a conflict exists with respect to at least one of these issues. The MLB Owners and Robber Manfred are not negotiating in good faith, in fact, I could argue that they might have intentions of busting the union. Not that I believe that would be an easy feat, but the owners are drunk with potential power after feeling substantial losses after last season.
I will say this: MLB owners are getting richer and richer… and that’s OK and… for the most part, players are getting richer and richer (although most teams are figuring out that long-term dope-fiend deals are not conducive to long-term sustainable winning). That’s OK, but it is unsustainable, in my opinion. I am not sure where all this will lead, but it doesn’t look good to me.
Here’s where I am:
- We love baseball and I will continue to support Minor League Baseball Big Time;
- We used to have Indianapolis Colts tickets – I got rid of those;
- We had 6 Indiana Pacer season tickets – but we have no interest in the NBA anymore;
- We will continue to go to Dodger games;
- We are exploring the possibility of getting a Suite at the Indianapolis Indians this year – it’s the best ticket in town and it’s all about sports. Just like this site – it’s not about politics!
What’s Next?
I have no clue and I have nothing to add… except to say that if the MLB owners and the MLBPA have the vision they can make a full season happen. If they just have sight, baseball could be forever doomed! I certainly hope that more rational minds can prevail, but it’s apparent that right about common sense is not so common.
Discussion (60)
Disagree, not disagreeable
What’s up Badger, Mover??
Dave Roberts interview…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H7F5vN41wc
He seems to really want JT back. Top priorities are a leverage reliever and right handed bat.
He seems to feel like Price will be back next year, but isn’t 100% certain. Looking forward to having Brandon Morrow back also had good things to say about Knebel, “A guy you don’t want to face” and Nelson, “When he’s healthy he’s as good as anyone”.
The pitching staff is going to be incredible if everyone comes back healthy. I have my doubts about Morrow and Nelson, and Robert’s trademark optimism only makes me feel slightly more confident they’ll contribute significantly.
Wow, what a mixed bag today…
I’m not going to two step with the base!!! I’ll just wait for the cheek to stop bleeding…
Badger I’ve been friends with Bill for 32 years this month… Damn near a guru, at least for today!!!
I will stick with Turner…
Jansen, now that’s a horse of a different color… Damn it just seems like yesterday I was watching him convert to the pen in San Bernardino… The aging process is a bitch…
Did Cartaya get ant any quality time last year???
P.S. I’m overjoyed about the vaccine and just glad science is involved…
Everyone just assumes Hoese is a sure thing. He’s not highly rated for a prospect his age and hasn’t shown to be any where near Lux’s production in the minor leagues. He’s got a lot to prove this year to be projected as our future 3rd baseman. I’m not turning down a good deal this year for a third baseman waiting for him. In fact I’d put him in a package for Story or Bryant if needed
I think players want to be paid for a full season and would be willing to play less than 162 games if their pay were not prorated.
Dodgers could try to swap bad contracts involving Jansen or package a good prospect with Jansen in a trade.
I don’t trust Turner’s hamstring or knees and personally would only want him if his contract were incentive laden. It’s time to move on from Turner.
If the Dodgers were reasonably assured they could extend Story then they should go after him, either as a SS or third baseman. Put him at third for 2021 and then see what happens with Seager after this year.
News on Dodgers catcher Keibart Ruiz…
He was in Venezuala Winter ball and was scheduled to play there until January 10. Until a Venezuelan beat writer posted on twitter that “keibart Ruiz will no longer play with @leones_cbbc for the rest of the campaign. In fact, he was not with the team yesterday.
No reason was given for the departure.
MLB told the managers to be ready to start spring training on time in mid February. Me and my eyeballs, I will be glad when I finally get my laser surgery to clear up the fog. I got the name wrong on that reliever. His name is Ryne Stanek. He was lousy with the Marlins last year. But Friedman knows him since he drafted him for the Rays. Realmuto talking to the Nats, and Kim having discussions with the Jays.
Dylan Hernandez the LA Times guy I think had a story where he said the Dodgers should move on from Kenley Jansen. I am not sure anyone would take his contract, but what I do think is that they DEFINITELY need a backup plan. Hendricks would be perfect. Maybe not in their financial budget though. I also read somewhere that they have an interest in Ryan Steneck. Former Marlin reliever who was DFA’d a couple of weeks ago. Supposedly has a blazing fastball, but little control.
The Dodgers signed Andrew Schwaab, former Yankee farmhand to a minor league deal. Throws sidearm. has 50 career minor league saves. Also pitched in the Red Sox and Tiger organizations. Cubs signed reliever Jonathan Hader.
David, you asked me some questions about Walter Alston at the end of yesterdays post. Alston was extremely low key. The best skill he had as a manager was getting the best out of his players. When he took over in 1954 he had a pennant winning team loaded with veterans. They had been together as a unit for quite a while, His only real job then was managing the pitching staff. Just look at his 1954 starting lineup and you can see he did not have to do much unless someone got injured. Campy, Hodges, Gilliam, Reese, Hoak, Amoros, Snider, Furillo. In 1954, Jackie Robinson was sort of their super sub. He played 4 games at 2nd, 50 at 3rd and 63 games as the left fielder. Hodges, Gilliam, Reese, Snider and Furillo were the only players to have more than 140 games at a position. Campy had maybe his worst season putting up a 0.1 WAR in 111 games. The teams he had in LA were much different. They were driven by pitching. He was excellent at the use of his bullpen for the most part. He had reliable relievers, Labine, Perranoski, Sherry, Brewer. And he usually had very good starters on his staffs. Tactically, he got out managed some times. They all do. But his teams were usually competitive. He was not the only one frustrated with Koufax. The entire organization was pretty frustrated with him. The main problem was control. His fastball had a mind of it’s own, and he had not yet mastered the curveball that would be one of his best weapons. He was almost traded to the Yankees for Elston Howard. But Bavasi thought better of it. A B game in spring training turned his career around. Norm Sherry, Larry’s brother, was catching him that day. He told Sandy to not try and strike everyone out. Just throw to the glove. His entire career shifted on that outing. He went out and pitched 7 shutout innings, and he was on his way. As for O’Malley being stingy, well it was a different time my friend. Players never signed for more than one season back then. And it was said Alston would sign a blank contract and send it back. So he must have been paid well enough to stick around for 23 years. I think his election to the Hall of Fame is where his ability’s as a manager were rewarded. He was quiet, did not say much or draw any attention to himself. He was definitely not the showman Tommy was. But there were times his players were disgruntled with him. Some said he was indecisive, especially when he first took over. But locker room incidents were rare. He had 3 strong players as Captains, Reese, Snider and Wills. And to tell the truth, as strong as he was, no one on the team would have ever challenged him to a fight. Even Frank Howard said so. And he was HUGE. He did not show his emotions in public at all. Getting a read on what he was thinking was pretty hard. I always thought the one person who described him the best was Vinny. he just said he was The Quiet Man.
Myself, I would love to see a full season. I also think it boils down to how open everything is. The Niners had to move their game due to California’s shut down. But a lot smarter people than me are the decision makers. The virus has not had a major effect here where I live. We have had only 30 cases. Up in Denver, things are worse for those folks as the Governor has a lot of restrictions. Only event cancelled though was the USC-Colorado football game. That was due to cases at the school. We will get through this. It might be a while before any semblance of normalcy returns. As for when the vaccine will arrive, we have not heard much about it here.
Tricky, that one.
May would seem reasonable. LA County expects to have enough vaccine to give shots to the entire county sometime in March. US will have enough vaccine by the end of January for 50 million. You don’t have to vaccinate everyone, some people won’t get it.
It would seem the virus will surge following the Christmas and New Year’s Day get togethers.
Players obviously want a full season, but without people in the stands owners may want to wait. After I get the vaccine, I’m ready to go back to games, the movies etc. Some may still be wary.
This is new Science, a different kind of vaccine, one they say will create a major breakthrough going forward. They don’t use live virus.
Tech changes, science changes, play ball.
There simply won’t be any vaccines approved before 2021, not to mention that the MLB, NBA and other professional will simply not be able to have any seasons during 2020, plus, oh wait a minute, never mind. At least none of this stuff had anything to do with politics and political posturing. Damn, the Truth Hurts.
MLB owners saying they want to be cautious, wait until personell are vaccinated sounds good. But my guess is they want to delay so they don’t have to play games without fans in the seats.
I’m with you, it’s reasonable to expect 140 games. The owners are ok with any number as long as they’re making money, not losing it.
NFL and NCAAF are getting close to completing their seasons. Not to mention all the soccer leagues across the world are playing or completing their seasons. The NBA is also starting their season. It makes absolutely no sense that MLB can’t start on time with or without a vaccine.
Dodgers Nation has back to back articles on JT. One saying that AF is preparing to let him go and the other saying that he will be back with the Dodgers. Here’s the quote from AF…
There are a couple of areas that are front of mind for us that we’re focusing on. One is adding a right-handed bat, and with our position versatility, it doesn’t have to be at third base. Obviously, we’ve been very vocal about JT and how much he has meant to this organization. He’s earned the right to go out into free agency and get a feel for the market, and it’s incumbent on us to be prepared for if he and Kourtney find an opportunity they fall in love with for whatever reason.
Sounds like AF is putting the ball in JT court. So, it looks like AF is just as comfortable in bringing JT back as he is in letting him walk. Is JT prepared to go to Toronto for a few years, or will he take a one year and an option? Or possibly a two year with less guaranteed money?
As I recall your vision said a month, my sight said at least a year, maybe longer.
We were both wrong.
It appears we have multiple vaccines. But the fact is nobody knows how well they work yet. And, getting them distributed still presents some logistical problems.
I think it’s possible not knowing how soon the owners can open gates for fans they will negotiate for a shortened season. I don’t see it being safe for that until late Spring. This thing is blowing up everywhere. I admit I don’t have “the vision” required to KNOW anything about target dates, I only know I’m staying in my bunker until the coast is clear. My best guess is a delayed start to ST, it will be shortened, and the season could start as early as May. 125-140 games is possible. Likely? Iontkno. Nobody does.