So what should MLB make with the Cardinals? There are 3 sensible alternatives..
1. Close down the Cardinals.
Not only are the Cardinals a marquee franchise and brand name in baseball, however the league functioning in this shortened calendar with 29 groups does not work. Theres always going to be one group who misses out on a series, like the Cubs this weekend and the Pirates this week.
If the Cardinals were totally shut down, the groups remaining on their schedule would play an excellent number fewer video games than 60 this season. For instance, they are set up to play the Cubs, Reds and Brewers 10 times apiece and have not yet played them. That would suggest each of those groups just plays 50 and offers them a benefit in playoff positioning, as we understand the smaller the sample, the easier it is to fluke into wins (which is why it would be absolutely unjust to have the Cardinals play like 40 games and compare winning portions with teams in the East and West for possible wild card spots).
This one is merely a non-starter for me and most likely is for Rob Manfred, too.
Nevertheless, this would be a much better choice, financially promoting baseball, than the next one ….
The Cardinals COVID-19 outbreak– which has resulted in some staff member requiring trips to the emergency room– grew over the weekend, and the group will be sidelined for its 4th successive series to start this week. This will leave the Cardinals having actually gone from July 30 through Aug. 12 having actually played zero video games. It also leaves 46 remaining days in the season in which the Cardinals need to play 55 more video games in order to get to 60..
Even more, reports suggest the Cardinals are still getting favorable tests, which puts Thursdays makeup doubleheader with the Tigers and next weekends series with the White Sox in jeopardy. After nearly 2 weeks, there is still actually no end in sight..
Nobody requires me to inform them that this is a bad circumstance. With all the doubleheaders that would be required, they cant be anticipated to take care of pitchers arms and position-player health in general– without even discussing how typically they d be at the ballpark upwards of eight hours a day instead of around 4, which is currently an increased danger of spreading the infection..
The first thing MLB will tell us is that the Cardinals are merely going to need to play fewer than 60 video games. Possibly they can play 50 times in 46 days which gets them to 55. If they in some way do get back in time for Thursdays doubleheader, my guess is thats what will happen. What if they keep having favorable tests, however, and need to remain closed down? The league cant progress while simply continuing to postpone one groups video games..
2. Close down the season.
I actually, truly do not wan na do this. Im having too much enjoyable enjoying baseball this season to consider how depressed I d be if it went away..
The league can not function down one group for upward of 3 weeks, though. If were sculpting whatever up for one team and meanwhile another group from either the East or West departments has an outbreak, I believe the league could lastly simply confess this was a mistake and shut whatever down– because at some time, having numerous groups playing around 40 games while others play 60 is a joke of a season to numerous fans..
Allow me to provide another idea, though..
3. Use the Taxi Squad.
That is, ship the whole Taxi Squad out on the road prior to the MLB Cardinals situation is enhanced. The taxi squads are essentially in a bubble and the Cardinals have enough position gamers and pitchers to field a complete team. There are likewise free representatives out there they could sign to minor-league offers like the Marlins did to submit their lineup as they returned from a break out.
The Cardinals COVID-19 break out– which has resulted in some group members requiring trips to the emergency situation space– grew over the weekend, and the group will be sidelined for its fourth consecutive series to start this week. Not just are the Cardinals a marquee franchise and brand in baseball, but the league operating in this reduced calendar with 29 groups does not work. If the Cardinals were absolutely shut down, the groups staying on their schedule would play a great number fewer games than 60 this season. That would indicate each of those groups just plays 50 and gives them a benefit in playoff positioning, as we understand the smaller the sample, the much easier it is to fluke into wins (which is why it would be completely unreasonable to have the Cardinals play like 40 games and compare winning percentages with groups in the East and West for possible wild card spots).
The taxi squads are essentially in a bubble and the Cardinals have adequate position gamers and pitchers to field a full team.
From a competitive standpoint, I cant imagine the Cardinals would be excited about this, but there are 29 other teams to think about here. Its an unfortunate circumstance, which means they d need to accept the unfortunate solution. Hey, possibly theyll even discover a couple of gems who havent yet gotten a shot at the majors..
Im sure Cardinals ownership group wouldnt like this due to the income increases, however they can wear it. They have lots of cash. I ought to keep in mind that it seems unlikely that Manfred– hes usually on the owners “side” of things– or other owners would support this, understanding that this might occur with their groups..
I dont care, though.
MLB needs to right away send out the Cardinals taxi squad to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates series as arranged. Its an insane season anyway, this will just include more insaneness.
