The first day of the MLB 2020 season is just a few days away from baseball adopting a 60-game schedule as the sport tries to return amid the coronavirus pandemic. With specific tweaks to make the game possible this year and some rule changes already underway for this season, sports figures play differently than they ever have before.
Which teams are best designed to handle the specific challenges of the 60-game format? Which areas of the list will the main offices focus more on during the season? How do those in the game feel about the new rule changes? Will we see successful offers before the August 31 trading deadline?
We asked an expert panel of 18 major league general managers, assistant general managers, and explorers to answer those questions and more. It is worth noting that not all questions were answered by all respondents.
Is there a team (other than yours) that you think is well positioned for a 60 game season?
The survey says: Rays 7, Dodgers 6, Braves 2.5, Twins 1.5, Indians 1 (one voter listed both Braves and Twins)
Youthful experience or energy? Great starting pitch or a deep bullpen? One answer that didn’t make it to the final ranking actually got the most votes: healthy teams. But even that is as unpredictable as everything else in this unusual season. The executives gave their best shot:
“I will take Tampa Bay,” said an executive. “Great launch with many flexible pieces and players that can be combined in short windows to provide an advantage.”
“I am not sure why Atlanta does not attract the same expectation as the Dodgers,” said another executive. “Okay, they may not be as deep on their staff, but they are talented and experienced, just like LA”
Which area on the list becomes more important in a 60 game season?
The survey says: Launch 7, Launch Depth 6, Bullpen 4, Taxi Squad 1.
Note that no position players were considered by the voters to be the important area of the roster to focus on. It’s about the launch, but there was a split in the vote between starters and relievers. Both arguments boiled down to one idea: fresh weapons are crucial.
“Beginners are still the bread and butter of a competing team,” said one executive. “By September, they should be stretched and at their best. There is no reason not to ride them.”
Which 2020 rule do you like the most and the least: DH in the National League, runner in second to start extra innings and a minimum of three hitters?
The survey says: Universal DH: plus (11), minus (2); extra tickets: more (2), less (5); minimum of three hitters: plus (0), minus (9)
Apparently, there aren’t many traditionalists in our voting bloc, since almost everyone loves the designated hitter in the National League. However, not so much the minimum of three hitters.
Perhaps most interesting was the lack of a strong opinion on the new extra innings rule. He got the fewest votes even though it could have a big impact on the ranking.
“I’ve come to realize the extra entry rule, and I think it will really help with the player’s health and having usable rosters the next day,” said one voter. “I’m still not at the low of three hitters.”
Will we see an All-Star swapped this season? If so, who?
The survey says: yes 8, no 10
Who will be moved? An All-Star reliever received two votes. JD Martinez, Brad Hand and Craig Kimbrel received a vote among those who answered yes.
Changing a player during a pandemic will be a difficult decision on the minds of all front desk executives. There are clearly two schools of thought right now: there is no chance of it happening; Or once the competitive juices start, there will definitely be some swapping. Most thought the deals would be more likely to involve pitchers than hitters.
“One thing that is interesting, if you’re going to give up a prospect, then getting a player for more than a month might be the way to go,” said one voter. “So changing someone with more than a year left on their deal might make sense, but will it happen? Probably not.”
Which offseason acquisition will have the biggest impact on your new home: Anthony Rendon, Mookie Betts, or Gerrit Cole?
The survey says: Cole 13, Rendon 3, Betts 2
Perhaps Rendon’s current injury question had an impact on the vote, but it’s clear that what executives believe here is in line with what they think is the most important part of a team this season. Starting to pitch is a big key to a 60 game season and Cole is one of the best, if not the best, in the sport, so it’s no surprise that it was an overwhelming choice.
“I think the Dodgers would make the playoffs with or without Betts and I don’t think the Angels are a big factor even with Rendon,” said one voter. “Cole more than makes up for not having [Luis] Severino and [Domingo] German and da [the Yankees] the best pitcher in baseball for Game 1 of each playoff series. “
Who will be this year’s team?
The survey says: Mets 3, Blue Jays 3, Rangers 2, Padres 2, Phillies 2, White Sox 2, Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1
The variety of responses here underscores the uncertainty of the young teams, coming out of a rebuild, combined with just 60 games to prove their worth. Someone going to steal headlines but who will it be? There was no real consensus on who or what type of team will emerge.
“Texas is cunning,” said a non-Rangers executive. “Houston and even the Angels get all the attention [in the AL West]but Texas is pretty good in many areas of the game. “
Which top team is most likely to step back this year?
The survey says: Nationals 8, Brewers 4, Red Sox 2, Astros 2, Cubs 1
Apparently, people believe that even an additional four months will not remove the hangover from the title for the National World Series champions. But most of all, it’s the loss of Anthony Rendon and an unstable bullpen, and some delays during the MLB summer camp due to the coronavirus pandemic along with three players who choose to exit the season, which makes people wonder if it will be repeated. Most voters say it will not happen.
What is the biggest difference in how teams will approach a 60 game season?
This was an open-ended question, so the answers varied, but the simplest answer came from an executive: managers will manage as if it were a pennant race from day one. Beyond that, a few more topics emerged:
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Expect to see everyday players playing in all 60 games.
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Teams will push beginners deeper into games.
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They will also become aggressive with the prospects of playing in the majors.
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And everyone has a chance: strategy can be changed after a bad start, but there is no reason for a club not to think about winning, which means using their best prospects, including starting pitcher prospects that could become relief For the year.
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