Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2020, 7:33 am

Given the money situation ... really doubt they have the "taxi squad" travel with the team ... air / hotel / meals. Plus adding 20 players into the mix with the active roster just increases the odds of one getting COVID-19. IF they want the "taxi squad" playing ... the cheaper (and maybe better) option is housing them all in spring training facilities ... potentially a much more controlled environment ... more flexibility on when games are played.

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I would expect most (if not all) ticketed for the active roster would be willing to show up but might not be the same for the "taxi squad". Pure prospects (e.g. Patino) likely will be eager to participate BUT what about a veteran such as Dozier .... will a guy who should have tucked away some money from his past playing be willing to accept some form of minor league money for a a few months for the privilege of being being under tight restrictions in the AZ heat as his career winds down? That could be a debate for every non-roster veteran whether they have a nest egg to work from or just are just "hanging on". Wait till next year or just retire now. Not sure how the union would feel about ... after agreeing to salary cuts ... teams paying greater than minor league money to players on the "taxi squad" ... if teams would even want to do that. A lot to be worked out.

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 18, 2020, 9:17 am

I feel like everyone is simply not thinking about how a long 162 game, or even 81 game season played daily over months plays out...

A SP  (or 3) gets hurt a month into the season... The guys who come up to replace them are ALREADY stretched out as SP's by the process of playing!   The same thing really applies to every position player; no way to possibly step up & be able to play particularly offensively, unless you already were playing daily vs live pitching.  BP, simulated games, whatever only go so far.

Yes, players on "taxi" squads risk injury, but so do players in Minors every season... it's part of the sport.  It simply doesn't work in baseball to have 20 guys "sitting around" at a training facility for 2 months then suddenly having to come up & potentially play daily in MLB... has to be SOME kind of game play.  Not necessarily the travel with the MLB team idea though.

Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2020, 9:53 am

I would give the "taxi squad" playing games in a controlled environment at spring training facilities the best chance of being the choice.

Agree that having them play is important. The controlled environment does give some better flexibility in structuring games considering 20 players is not a deep contingent and there are no clear replacement options as there would be in a real minor league season. While the ML players will be a daily operation ... the "taxi squad" probably could get away with a less rigorous schedule mixing games and side sessions. That may be a benefit to the younger players who are in that mix.

If they do play games ... does force the mix of players on the "taxi squad" to allow for a team to be fielded. Probably more position players at the expense of pitching depth (but that should not be a major issue given the new 30 man active will likely be carrying 4 extra pitchers anyway). ? Eight positions plus 1 DH plus a reserve catcher, reserve INF, reserve OF .... 12 position players / 8 pitchers. (note: could potentially be possible to "borrow" a reserve from another team if a real shortage happens). Does make a case (considering the number of pitchers) to create a less than a daily game schedule or shorter games (5 innings?).

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 18, 2020, 9:53 am

Now I've seen mentioned too the proposed 50 player limit at "Spring Training 2".  Doesn't sound like a big deal; Pads were at about 52-53 healthy guys left in camp (35 roster, rest non-roster).  Easy....

...but think about it.  This # does not include the 5 guys on 40-man optioned down already, plus Taylor Trammell & a few other P's who seem like likely AAA/taxi guys...  I guess you could reverse decision & bring them back, but at another player's expense.  My point is: these guys & many other "significant" players are missing from the 50 player ("30 + 20") equation.

But the "50 player limit at ST facility" does suggest an obvious solution:  When the MLB teams at 26-30 guys head out to play, bring in that many additional guys to ST facility... would essentially wind up with enough guys to have 2 teams that could at a bare minimum play games against each other to develop/be game ready.  Or a semblance of AAA & AA that conceivably could play other teams in Arizona (15 MLB ST facilities).  AAA/"taxi" could start playing games first, with AA ramping up with their ST & not starting to really play for 3-4 weeks or whatever.

Two main issues:  1)  Essentially "running" 2 Minors teams completely outside of their typical facilities/arrangement; not sure what Minors owners take on that & /or influence would be (likely not much-players "owned" by the Pads), and 2)  The 40-man roster  & veteran Minors FA guys would probably just be on a prorated MLB pay scale or contract respectively.  But the younger guys in Minors would have a tough choice between taking their typically tiny Minors pay for a few months for the opportunity to play/develop/advance.  Additional health risk may not be worth it.  A lower bonus player like Patino, I could see his agent advising he stand down & not play since he's not on 40-man...

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 18, 2020, 9:57 am

Any 40-man roster player diagnosed positive should automatically go on a special IL & open 40-man roster spot (so like 60-day IL) with a strict protocol before returning; "a week after 2 days in a row of testing negative" or something like that.

MLB club pay 100% of all testing & any neccy treatment for ANY player that gets coronavirus; including non-roster.

Probably a no-brainer before any player agreement to return to playing games.

Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2020, 10:22 am

There are a myriad of technical issues with the structure and use of the "taxi squad" that apparently have not even be discussed yet between the owners and the union. Something as simple as would the "taxi squad" be considered the same as the IL or as a minor league assignment for 40 man roster types. IL gets the service time / ML pay ... minor league assignment consumes an option year. If it is an option year would an out of option player need to clear waivers (e.g. Guerra)? No word on the 40 man roster types that are not on the "taxi squad" and not playing in the minors (is that still an option year?). Might keep Ona of the 20 if it is just an option year / minor league pay but might think twice if it costs ML pay and a year of ML service for a guy that is very, very unlikely to get the call to the active roster.

Clearly, at a minimum, there will be 10 non-roster players  on the "taxi squad" and potentially more depending on the view of the 10 40 man roster players who don't make the 30 active. Does a team want players that may help 2020? If yes, not sure they want any of the 40 man options that are still not viewed as ML ready (e.g. Ona) and go with another non-roster player in the mold of Lagares or Almonte. Also, may not want a non-roster prospect who is not ticketed to be added to the roster (Rule 5) next winter if not ML ready ... takes up a roster slot if called up that may be needed for a key prospect / player who needs to be on the roster next winter. Does beg another unanswered question ... for Rule 5 purposes does NOT playing anywhere in 2020 push every minor league players eligibility back one year? If so, might not want to send any non-roster top prospects to the "taxi squad" and effectively extend control a year because if they play they get the year.

A lot of negotiation yet to come.

Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2020, 10:42 am

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 18, 2020, 9:57 am

Any 40-man roster player diagnosed positive should automatically go on a special IL & open 40-man roster spot (so like 60-day IL) with a strict protocol before returning; "a week after 2 days in a row of testing negative" or something like that.

MLB club pay 100% of all testing & any neccy treatment for ANY player that gets coronavirus; including non-roster.

Probably a no-brainer before any player agreement to return to playing games.

I think the owners' proposal (which covers a lot in its 67 pages) has immediate isolation with a positive test and requiring two negative test before allowing a return.

With the "taxi squad" maybe if containing appropriate mix of 40 man roster types ... a "normal IL" approach is fine and one just gets the call. At least at first, have to assume a recovery in max 14 days. If they use the 60 day approach allowing an add to the 40 man to accommodate a non-roster, then when (if) the COVID player returns ... a DFA would be required (could be the same guy I guess so no harm no foul IF the non roster add was not a legit prospect. Not an issue if the add was Lagares and the like but an issue if the add was Patino.

From the Padres perspective ... Munoz to the 60 day IL is still available and Valera (back-up fringe INF they claimed) is easy DFA. So at least the Padres have some flexibility. However, given their 40 man roster mix, not sure there would be a major need to add a non-roster type unless there were a long list of injuries and that by its very nature would likely include some 60 day IL anyway.

Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2020, 12:47 pm

***** breakthrough*****

California’s Gov. Newsom just announced that professional sports teams can resume activities (without fans) in early June (if the current health trends hold).

Thought CA may be one of the last holdouts .... looks as though the sentiment is changing towards more opening up. (Note: hair salon may also open).

Does come with the warning that IF the trend reverses ... so will his plan to open into stage 3.

Odd for a season starting in July has just made a major leap forward.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 18, 2020, 1:47 pm

I would think it more likely the Taxi Squad players would stay in their home cities.

They could play intra squad scrimmages in home stadiums before night games or after day games and when home team is on the road.

Plus they could get some major league coaching and at least experience the big leagues while waiting to be called.

They have to be "somewhere"....may as well be at home.