A Christmas World Series? Three Possible Outcomes for the 2020 Baseball Season

The MLB announced today that the baseball season has been postponed for two weeks while the remainder of spring training has been cancelled. It appears possible this postponement will lead to a 2020 season that is akin to 1995, where the season was shortened by 18 games. Rosters could be expanded to allow flexibility with each team if a player is sick.

However, with the ever-changing state of the union, this postponement could be extended. How could a longer postponement affect the season schedule, fans, player salaries, and game locations? Three possible future outcomes for the 2020 baseball season are highlighted below.

Scenario 1: The baseball season is pushed back between 1-3 months

Logistics: Opening Day will be moved to late April, May, or June. Subsequently, the playoffs will begin in either November, December, or January if a full season is played.

Outcomes: The biggest question at hand if the season is delayed is whether the baseball season will be played in full or abridged. In 1995, the season was shortened by 18 games due to the players’ strike the year prior. However, if the season is shortened by a month or more, how will each team’s schedule be affected? If all interleague and interdivision play is reduced or eliminated, this can greatly affect each team’s record, which is a major factor in the playoff seeding. Although the Minnesota Twins will have the advantage of playing in a less competitive division, other playoff contenders in more difficult divisions, such as the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, could see skewed records and results.

In the scenario that the baseball season is postponed for a few months, the end of the baseball season and the playoffs will look drastically different. For example, if Opening Day is moved to late May, the playoffs will be scheduled to occur during December, with the potential of a Christmas World Series. Assuming that the football season will carry on as planned, baseball will be competing for viewership, attendance, and coverage with football for approximately half its season. In the scenario that Opening Day is delayed to late June, playoff baseball will perfectly coincide with playoff football. This is all, of course, given the assumption that the game can be played without weather being a factor, especially given that numerous contenders are located in essentially the northern tundra, without the luxury of a dome.

Scenario 2: The season is suspended until the All Star "break"

Logistics: The second half of the season will kick off with Opening Day, rather than the All-Star game. The All-Star Game will cancelled. The season will be cut in half, with 81 games, rather than 162. This way, the percentage of games between teams, leagues, and divisions will not be affected

Outcomes: One of the biggest challenges with a shortened season is maintaining the integrity of each team’s schedule, as mentioned previously. However, cutting the season in half helps maintain the integrity of each team’s schedule, while adding significance to each and every game. October baseball will go on as previously scheduled, without additional competition with the NFL.

However, how will players’ salaries be affected? Will teams be asked to pay out for the entirety of the season, even if just 81 games are played? How will this affect contracts? Does 81 games constitute an entire season?

Lastly, how will player and team suspensions be affected? For example, will Michael Pineda be expected to serve the entirety of this 60 game suspension in 2020? In the specific example of the Twins, losing Michael Pineda for 74% of the season is extremely significant and impactful. How will the outcome of the Red Sox’ investigation be affected with a shortened season? Although there are still a lot of questions to be answered, MLB will be expected to provide the solutions as swiftly and quickly as possible.

Scenario 3: The season is cancelled

Logistics: The 2020 baseball season is fully cancelled

Outcomes: This move would be incredibly disappointing and detrimental for all players, employees, and fans. However, cancelling the entire 2020 season isn’t out of the question. Even just 48 hours ago, the thought of postponing an entire season for any sport seemed impossible. However, it’s impossible to predict the future and outcomes that correlate with this virus. While this may not be the most likely scenario right now, don’t rule it out either.

During this trying time, fans are depending on sports and other forms of entertainment to keep their anxieties at bay. It’s devastating to see any changes and delays to our beloved national pastime. However, first and foremost, it’s most important to keep all players and employees safe and healthy. Let’s all wash our hands to the tune of “Take Me Out To the Ballgame” until Opening Day, even if it isn't until 2021.

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