With Major League Baseball and the Players Association seeking a way to play a modified 2020 season around the spread of the novel coronavirus, one well-known member of the union has made his own proposal public. Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper took to Instagram to share his vision for a 2020 season, which includes a neutral-site World Series.
Here's Harper's post:
Basically, Harper would like to see MLB realign for this season into an East/West arrangement, similar to what the NBA uses. From there, the league would play into November, finishing with a 135-game schedule. Teams would have an off day every other Monday, and would play seven-inning doubleheaders on Sunday. Harper would allow for expanded rosters, with teams carrying 30 players.
Harper's postseason would have a different look to it as well. The tournament would include 10 teams and be of the round-robin variety, and would be hosted at either the Texas Rangers' new ballpark, or some other site that makes sense -- Harper floated Las Vegas, with players being housed in the hotels located along the Strip.
Once the World Series was decided, those teams would have two days off to prepare. Harper would have the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby held on those nights. He would also do away with blackouts, so that everyone can watch, no matter their location or platform.
Predictably, given Harper's proposal would see games played into December, he would push back the start of both of the next two seasons to allow for ample recovery time.
Is Harper's idea realistic? Probably not, since it doesn't address the most important issues facing any proposal: the safety of the players and other essential personnel, and the compensation aspect. But it is, at minimum, creative and a fun distraction at a time when distractions are welcomed.