Report: MLB, MLBPA Discussed Playing All Games in Arizona After COVID-19 Hiatus

The 2020 MLB season was supposed to begin on March 26, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that when the league was forced to cancel the remainder of its spring training games, as well as delay Opening Day on March 12.  

According to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, MLB and the MLBPA discussed potential ways forward over the phone.

"Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players' association," Blum reported, citing sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

On Friday, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported on a similar hypothetical solution:

"MLB is prioritizing public health as it examines all possibilities, sources say. The season, at least initially, could be played in Florida or more likely Arizona, where spring training parks are more concentrated. But the logistics of quarantining 30 teams in one area would be extremely complex and potentially controversial, sources say, requiring local, state and federal government cooperation and resources that might be necessary to fight the coronavirus pandemic."

Rosenthal added that the games would take place in empty stadiums after players had been quarantined.

Renowned baseball agent Scott Boras commented on the matter to Blum:

"It allows for immediacy of a schedule, where you might be able to begin it and televise it, provide Major League Baseball to America. I think players are willing to do what's necessary because I think they understand the importance of baseball for their own livelihoods and for the interest of our country and providing a necessary product that gives all the people that are isolated enjoyment."

The league and MLBPA reached a labor agreement on March 27 that addressed the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the 2020 season:

MLB announced on March 17 that all 30 clubs individually committed $1 million to their respective ballpark employees who have been unable to work during this hiatus.