Snake Bytes 5/7: Pie in the Sky

Diamondbacks:

Torey Lovullo on resuming season, DH in the NL, playing without fans

“...But we practice a lot on the backfields here in Arizona here in spring training with no fans and you get used to it. I think the guys will start to accept that new normal, especially if it gets them back on the field.”

Ketel Marte part of group led by Pedro Martinez to bring Coronavirus relief to the Dominican Republic

Some of MLB’s biggest Dominican stars have joined Martinez in his efforts, including former players David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre and Jose Bautista, and current players Dellin Betances, Luis Castillo, Nelson Cruz, Johnny Cueto, Edwin Encarnacion, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Marcell Ozuna, Freddy Peralta, Gregory Polanco, Albert Pujols, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Sano, Carlos Santana, Luis Severino and Juan Soto, among many others.

Why the covid-19 outbreak could offer Kevin Cron his big MLB break

Cron has nothing more to prove in the minor leagues. He slashed .331/.449/.777 with 38 homers in 82 games in Triple-A Reno in 2019. He slashed .309/.368/.554 with 22 homers in 104 games in Reno the year prior. PCL pitchers don’t stand much of a chance against him, especially not if Triple-A is using the bouncy ball employed last season. But Cron was likely still ticketed for Triple-A if the MLB season started in March as usual.

Baseball:

MLB season startup: Pros and cons of the 3 most likely scenarios

In this article the 3 most likely scenarios are: Play and practice at home, Send everyone to Arizona, Host teams in Arizona, Texas and Florida

Boras calls for the resumption of spring training

Boras writes:

“Even before we know when, where and how we will have an Opening Day, we should give players the chance to ramp up for Major League competition. Like many others, they are doing their best to make things work without access to the ballparks that are their ’offices.’ But the best basement batting cage or backyard mound can’t give world-class hitters and pitchers the game-speed preparation they need.”

Yankees president sees baseball happening in New York City this year

‘‘The economics are really important, but we have to deal with the reality of the economics. Obviously, television isn’t the whole ballgame as far as the financial economics of the game. Sometimes you’ve got to play the games, play ball, and there are more important things than economics.”

MLB to present 2020 season plan to players union within a week, with a July opening as the best case

The pie-in-the-sky hope for returning to action is reportedly an opening day in early July, with a second spring training in June. Per Rosenthal, the Cleveland Indians told their players to be prepared for camp to begin again on June 10 and an opening day on July 1.