Chris Cotillo must have a line on the many anticipated rules for this season, many of which have been bandied about for months, but none of which have been this close to actually being firmly true.
*IF THERE IS A SEASON*, among the rules shared by Cotillo (as of this past weekend, per a source):
Three days before spring training, teams must submit list of up to 60 players (entire 40-man roster plus add-ons) that will be eligible to play during season. If players don't make Opening Day roster, they'll go on taxi squad. https://t.co/dqeS1rVdpX
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020
That is a potentially enormous taxi squad, though it would at least provide even more opportunity for minor leaguers to get some game-ish experience this year. The expectation is that the taxi squad will be at a nearby facility, training and staying game-ready.
Sources: Latest MLB proposal (from over the weekend) says new extra-inning rule only applies during regular season, not postseason.
The runner will be the last out of the previous inning. So if No. 4 hitter leads off 10th, No. 3 hitter is runner on second. https://t.co/xc58w2C0Wg
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020
No huge surprises there, as we’ve generally heard about all of those before. I am fine with doing the extra innings thing this year. It’s weird, and possibly bad, but in a shortened season with extra risk, no reason to mess around with marathon games. Ties, frankly, would also be fine.
Another proposed 2020 rule change: MLB is considering permitting the continuation of games that don't reach 5 innings due to weather. They will be treated as suspended games to be continued at a later date.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020
No sense in trying to totally reschedule rainouts when you’ve gotten a chunk of the game in. Again, I’m fine with this.
Cotillo also hears that there *WILL* be a trade deadline, and it will be August 31. That would be extremely weird, because then you’d only have trades for about the first month of the season … and then you’re trading for a guy for only the final month of the season. So weird. But it does make me happy to know trade fun is a possibility.
Much more coming soon. Players are supposed to indicate by 5pm ET whether they are signing off on the health and safety protocols, and on Spring Training Part Two beginning July 1.