After the Canadian government denied the Blue Jays’ approval to play games in Toronto this season, the Jays still don’t know where they are playing just 10 days from their first scheduled “home” game, which will host the Nationals July 29.
To this end, several different options are being explored, such as another major league venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Jays “have studied playing select local games at PNC Park in 2020.” As Mackey noted in a follow-up tweet, the Blue Jays and Pirates only share seven conflicting dates for home games, with six of them after Sept. 7.
At the very least, a temporary move to Pittsburgh would give the Jays some time to spend the next six weeks getting another stadium that meets MLB standards. For example, there has been some hint that Buffalo’s Sahlen Field (home to the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate) could undergo the clubhouse improvements, lighting, and general infrastructure needed to host MLB games, although it did not. nothing has been finalized on that front.
Speaking to reporters yesterday (including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca), Blue Jays President / CEO Mark Shapiro said:confident Buffalo is a viable alternative“Even pointing out that a change to Sahlen Field is”it’s not a done deal. “In comparison, the Jays’ spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida is”100 percent smooth right now and ready to go … but from a player health point of view it has some challenges, ”Given the COVID-19 peak in Florida.
Looking at the latest coronavirus data, Pennsylvania is doing relatively well in handling its COVID-19 cases, although its worst affected region is Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located. Areas with large population centers will naturally have larger COVID numbers than less densely populated areas, of course, although it underscores the difficulty the Jays face as all of the proper MLB-level facilities in major cities.
If the Jays are discussing a possible timeshare with the Pirates, it stands to reason that they are also exploring deals with other teams. Shapiro mentioned “other alternatives“Besides Buffalo and Dunedin who were under consideration, and right-handed Anthony Bass He told the Associated Press and other media that GM Ross Atkins prioritized finding a major league stadium after discussions with players.
“I just said, ‘Look, we want to play in a big league stadium. We think this is the best opportunity for us, ‘and he agreed and said:’ I heard you loud and clear and that is what we will do for you because that is what the team wants. ‘” Bass said.
