Could COVID-19 Lead to MLB Expansion? Judge and Stanton Will Be Ready, An

When I’m writing here on Bleacher Nation, yes, I joke around a little bit, but for the most part I play it straight. We’re not some stodgy, century-year-old traditional media outlet with strict rules and expectations, but you only have so much patience for the jokes. I get it.

On social media, by contrast, I’m free to do me – especially when it comes to my stupid or silly TikToks. Sadly, for every one joke that lands on Twitter, about ten others fall flat on their face. Today, was one of the latter:

Hey guys. I need some help deciding which #Cubs hat to get. ? pic.twitter.com/Tta0GIe8hi

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 22, 2020

You see, it’s funny, because it’s like I didn’t know you could “accidentally” see all those pictures and google searches of Anthony Rizzo, because I’m obsessed with him. It’s funny. Why aren’t you guys enjoying it. I’m pretty sure I’m hilarious. Please like me. 

Here’s some news from around baseball.

Could COVID-19 Lead to Quick MLB Expansion?

Over the past year or so, MLB began (publicly) discussing their intentions to eliminate 15-20% of all Minor League Baseball teams, but it wasn’t until the economic pressure of COVID-19 that enough momentum was built up to actually enact that plan.

Expansion could follow a similar suit.

According to CBS Sports, expansion could come sooner than later, if MLB follows the playbook they’ve used in the past: “Truth be told, expansion has only a tiny little bit to do with growing the game and a lot to do with the big cash influx, historically. The Marlins and Rockies exist in part because clubs had to pay their $280 million collusion settlement to the MLBPA prior to the 1991 season.”

Former Commissioner Fay Vincent put an even finer point on it: “Look, each owner had a $10 million bill and there were about 26 clubs before expansion and 30 at the moment, then $280 million, let’s say $10 million a club – they didn’t have the money. So they did what most would business do, they sold stock, they sold interest in the clubs, in the expansion clubs. In my day two of them – Miami and Denver. And that money, which was vital, paid off their collusion debt. Without it I think baseball would have had a very serious time.”

Obviously, the league doesn’t have a specific number/debt to repay, but undoubtedly owners will be more desperate for revenue than ever. If expansion was already on the table *and* could very quickly create a cash influx for each team, you can absolutely expect them to explore that possibility sooner than later.

We expected two-team expansion within the decade, now I wonder if it might happen in half that time.

Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton Will be Ready

Aaron Judge has been recovering from a fractured right rib for the past couple months, but is making progress and is anxious to get back in the cage: “It’s been tough,” Hitting Coach Marcus Thames told the YES Network on Thursday. “He walks by the cage. He…