Yankees: 2020 MLB Season Details Revealed

The MLB and MLBPA have finally agreed to terms on the 2020 season and here’s everything you need to know.

We can confidently say baseball is back, and just about everything we need to know has been reported over the last 16 hours or so. New York Yankees fans, it’s time to get amped for the chase for No. 28! It won’t be easy during a 60-game campaign, but if this team is healthy, the Bombers have as good a chance as anybody.

So what else do we need to know about the start of the season? Spring Training starts on July 3; the season will begin on July 23 or 24 and end on Sept. 27; 60 games will be played in 66 days; we already talked about the dumb extra-innings rule on Tuesday; the DH will be in both leagues; and the usual “rival” interleague matchups will take place.

Don’t worry, Yankees fans, you’ll be able to crush the Mets in 2020.

So even with a 60-game schedule, the natural interleague rivals will still play one another six times apiece. #Yankees-#Mets; #WhiteSox-#Cubs; #Angels-#Dodgers; #Athletics-#SFGiants.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 24, 2020

And there’s much more new info. Let’s get to it!

Opening Day: July 23 or 24

Season: 60 games

Location: Home ballparks

Health and safety: "MLB's foremost priorities" pic.twitter.com/PWOu9GolDh
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 24, 2020

Perhaps the biggest news of all is that there’s a trade deadline. It will be Aug. 31, which is barely over a month into the season, and less than a month before it ends. This is easily the most puzzling decision of all considering it’ll be nearly impossible for players to be properly valued with around 35 games under their belt. Not only that, but is it really smart to have more and more players changing teams and traveling while the league is trying to minimize health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic?

Let’s not worry about that right now, though. There’s more pertinent info to focus on.

More adjusted rules:
*To be eligible for postseason, players must be added to big-league roster by 9/15
*Season will start with 30-man rosters. Down to 28 after 2 weeks, 26 after 4 weeks.
*Pitchers/catchers report to camp first, then position players. https://t.co/Og6Ix7TBeE
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020

There’s all you need to know about the rosters, and here are some more specifics:

More adjusted rules for 2020:
*Teams can invite all 60 players to big-league spring training or can send up to 20 players (not on 40-man roster) to alternate site.
*Not all players on 40-man roster must be invited to big-league spring training (but if not must still be paid). https://t.co/Og6Ix7TBeE
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020

And we’re expected to see more action this weekend. Teams can start making moves (signings trades, etc.) this Friday at noon and each team’s 60-man player pool must be finalized by Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. In case you didn’t know what a “taxi squad” was, it’s a group of players that each team can sign, but they’re not allowed to be part of the roster.

Here come more adjusted rules for 2020:
*Transactions freeze ends this Friday at noon ET
*Teams must submit 60-man player pool names by Sunday at 3 ET
*In-person scouting will be allowed.
*Teams can take up to 3 taxi squad players on road (but if 3, one must be a catcher) https://t.co/Og6Ix7TBeE
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020

And there’s still hope for some unsigned players!

One more wrinkle that isn't finalized:

MLB still debating whether to let teams sign players to minor-league contracts

Those players wouldn't count against 40-man big-league rosters but would count against 60-player pools

This would cause massive opt-outs 5 days before openers!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020

What’s even cooler is that Major League Baseball is considering have two teams of unsigned players in Nashville, which would serve as an “emergency pool.” These guys won’t be making a lot, but it’ll at least be something.

Here's a wrinkle I hadn't heard before:

MLB has been talking with Nashville about having 2 teams there of unsigned players, sources say.

They would serve as an emergency pool and would make $400/week.

MLB teams would have to pay a fee to Nashville to sign one of those players.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020

As for the health and safety protocols, here’s what we know so far:

So only players who are considered "high-risk'' can elect to opt out of the season and still receive their full pro-rated pay.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 24, 2020

The bad news? If players have high-risk family members, they cannot opt out with pay.

Players who live with or are regularly in close contact with individuals at high risk for COVID-19 could sit out, but would not automatically receive pay and service time. Teams still can choose to be accommodating, however. With @Ken_Rosenthal: https://t.co/16X1yLHZjL
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) June 24, 2020

We’ve yet to see anyone opt out yet, but we’re sure we’ll hear something on that front relatively soon. In the case of Gerrit Cole, whose wife, Amy, is pregnant, he’ll be able to be with her when their child is born.

In the final health/safety protocol: Players who have a pregnant spouses can go on 3-day maternity list and be paid, or if family emergency, be paid for maximum of 7 days. Yet, if the player still needs more time, it's up to the club's discretion to pay salary or not.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 24, 2020

And lastly, there will be NO SPITTING! Enjoy enforcing that one, MLB!

Genuinely curious to see how this is enforced. Will there be spitspensions? pic.twitter.com/19820xNODr
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 24, 2020

Here’s to a shortened, spit-less, wet rag-filled 2020 MLB season.

The MLB and MLBPA have finally agreed to terms on the 2020 season and here’s everything you need to know.

Schedule