The MLB season is on indefinite suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak. But that isn’t keeping the league from brainstorming ways to get things started again.
In early April, there was a report that the league was exploring a May start at remote locations with no fans. Now, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that the league is considering temporary realignment, based on the Spring Training homes of the 30 teams, which are in Arizona and Florida.
Instead of the National League and American League, MLB is considering the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League. Nightengale reported that several different realignment structures are being considered, including the following:
GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
NORTH: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates.
SOUTH: Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles.
EAST: Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins.
CACTUS LEAGUE
NORTHEAST: Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics.
WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels.
NORTHWEST: Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals.
The Giants and Dodgers not being in the same division would be weird as all heck, but some baseball is better than no baseball.
That’s assuming they can do it responsibly and appropriately, which I have my doubts about.