Baseball is back. Three glorious words.
After months of failed negotiations with the players’ association, MLB has imposed a 2020 season and the two sides have agreed on health and safety protocols.
However, the new season will not include some of the rule changes that you may have recently read about.
Here are all the details you need to know about baseball’s upcoming shortened season.
When does the MLB regular season start?
The opening day will be July 23 or 24. MLB will attempt to score 60 games in approximately 66 days. Players report to camp on July 1 for Spring Training II.
How many games
It will be a regular season of 60 games. The league had proposed just 50 games and the players association had proposed up to 114. In the end, 60 was the number the league chose when it unilaterally implemented the 2020 season.
Given new MLB coronavirus cases, the league’s desire to play the postseason in October, and the duration of these negotiations, a regular season of more than 60 games was no longer feasible. But the players still rejected the league’s 60-game proposal for some important reasons.
Where’s the Phillies’ schedule?
Not available yet, but the Phils’ schedule will include large doses of NL East and AL East. That is not good for the Phillies. The teams will remain in their geographic regions to limit travel.
Will fans be allowed in MLB games? Where will the games be played?
While the games will be played at local stadiums, fans will not be allowed in the stands for the 2020 MLB season. Full Phillies programming will be televised on NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia + and NBC10, in addition to exclusive national games.
What is the deal with Spring Training II?
For the Phillies, it will take place in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park and in Lehigh Valley at the complex of its Triple A affiliate, IronPigs. Players will perform before July 1. There will be a three week period for in-squad games and baseball activities. Pitchers need to rebuild endurance, and hitters need to find their time against the live pitch.
What about the MLB playoff format?
The playoffs will be no expand from 10 teams to 16 for the 2020 season. The expanded playoff field was a piece of previous proposals, but it is not part of the 2020 season that the league is implementing.
This means that the playoff field will remain the same as in 2019: three division winners and two wild cards per league.
How much will players charge?
Players will receive their full prorated wages for the regular 60 game season. A 60 game season is 37% of a normal 162 game season. A player who makes just over $ 25 million a year like Bryce Harper would earn around $ 9.4 million. A player earning $ 10 million as JT Realmuto would earn $ 3.7 million.
Remember, too, that the league advanced players $ 170 million as part of the March 26 deal. It means some players have already been paid most of what will be paid in 2020. Here’s a breakdown of how that $ 170 million was distributed.
How big will the expanded lists be?
The rosters will be expanded to 30 active players to start the season. That number drops to 28 after two weeks and to 26 after four weeks, according to Jayson Stark.
More players will be available through the taxi squad. Key Phillies minor league players such as Spencer Howard and Alec Bohm are expected to be with the major league team. Without a minor league season, young prospects will need a place to develop.
And the DH?
The designated hitter will be universal in 2020 as an additional protective measure to help prevent pitcher injury. But the DH will no Be universal in 2021, the last year of the current collective agreement. Beyond that CBA, we were able to see DH forever.
Any other quirk?
A business deadline of August 31. Runners place second base at additional entrances to avoid marathon games. Probably some others too. Keep checking.
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