Clearwater update 2020

[RTaylor]

I wonder whether the team will continue to work on roster construction, or whether everything goes on hold, and we have no transactions for a period of time. What a tough situation for players on the bubble.

[BostonRoss]

Les, one of my meetings in Florida has been canceled. I expect the other one will be (I think it should).

I regret not getting to visit with you; it's been a few years. Stay safe and healthy, my friend.

[Les229]

It's probably best. The City of Tampa has just cancelled their St. Paddy's day parade and one school over there has been closed. We'll work it out another time.Sorry we couldn't get together, but I am hardly leaving the house these days.

[Les229]

The said that the ST facilities will still be open to the players. I expect that most of the players on the bubble will stick around. When I was their age, I was bullet proof.

[jimbomill]

I am hardly leaving the house these days.

Stay well!

[Philsmania]

Les, if we have a Spring Training 2020 2.0 at some point, will you be there? If not, thanks as always for your coverage and letting us live vicariously through you!

[Les229]

Philsmania

I'll have to see what they do. I have a hard time thinking they will be off a month and then jump right in and start the season. There would be a ton of injuries then. I had a doctor's appointment this morning, but Monday, I intend to go out to the complex and see what is happening.

[Philsmania]

Philsmania

I'll have to see what they do. I have a hard time thinking they will be off a month and then jump right in and start the season. There would be a ton of injuries then.

That's what I expect as well. There would probably be some kind abbreviated Spring Training with a week of workouts and a couple weeks of exhibition games. And, using 1990 and 1995 as guides from when labor unrest led to shortened spring trainings and delayed starts to the season, I suspect MLB will allow teams to have expanded rosters for a few weeks in the early going while starting pitchers stretched themselves out. What I am wondering is whether the players will hunker down in Clearwater, head back to Philadelphia or all go home (ie. Harper back to Vegas, Realmuto to Oklahoma, Nola to Louisiana, etc.).

[bkeich]

What I am wondering is whether the players will hunker down in Clearwater, head back to Philadelphia or all go home (ie. Harper back to Vegas, Realmuto to Oklahoma, Nola to Louisiana, etc.).

I would assume the vast majority will go home. I can't imagine that the team even really wants them to concentrate in one place (Clearwater) and all go to the same training facility, that is the definition of what we DONT want people to do (everyone get in a room, get sweaty, cough, get next to each other).

I think what was said earlier is clearly correct, pretend it is a strike that gets settled on XXX, YY (pick the date). Maybe a week or two of late spring training, 30 man rosters for a few weeks, get playing. You might even see some strange things line double games, where half the team plays in game 1, half in game 2 just to get everyone stretched out faster.

[Lawman]

Reports are now that teams are telling players to go home.

[Les229]

I don't think the weekend is a good indication. Before they are officially reporting in the spring the week ends seem spur of the moment. The guys who probably want to get out of there the most are the coaches. Age seems to be a factor with this thing. It is interesting though, the causeway going to the beach backed up the entire 3 miles today.

[Les229]

CNN is now showing footage of Clearwater Beach from today as an example of what not to do. The beach did not shut down and it is packed with spring breakers. I had heard this batch of college students lacked common sense. I understand some of the younger people of Italy are starting to get very sick.

[el-pietro]

"The beaches are open, and people are having a wonderful time."

[Philsmania]

I swear, that guy set mold for how mayors are depicted in disaster/action/superhero movies, always more concerned with the tourism industry and some upcoming convention rather than the impending death and destruction that will reign down on his city. I hate to say Mayor Kenney was like that here in Philadelphia until a couple of days ago but....

[bkeich]

So, is going to the beach that bad?

Stay away from others.

You are outside, UV light should help kill anything ona surface.

Agreed not a great idea on a crowded beach. But if you are 5-10 feet away from anyone is it really a bad idea. Might be a better idea than being inside with other people.

[Les229]

Today the Clearwater City Council voted to close the beach this coming Monday. Almost all of the bars and restaurants will remain open. Nearly all of the bars serve food. They have to operate at half capacity with at least 6 feet between the tables. This probably means that most of the bartenders and servers and cooks and other staff will be working part time. There may be some owners going out of business.

[Les229]

Well there wasn't 6 feet between the people on the beach, it was packed. I'm not sure the bars were operating at half capacity.

[Les229]

The problem is that it is easy for me to say shut it down, I have no stake in it,but this is their livelihood . There will probably be some businesses and mom and pop hotels going out of business, some have done that all their lives. I agree that it should be done, but it's not easy when it will ruin some of your friends' life. I wonder if they set it for Monday to give the restaurants and bars time to get red of their fresh food surplus and cut their next order.

[zambonir]

I think all 50 states will end up taking the same measures including quarantine in place. Some are just going more slowly. Restaurants here are already giving away all their food (both to consumers and charities) if they aren't going to delivery-only.

[Les229]

I wonder if this shouldn't have been done on a national level and this piece meal approach will not prolong it.