Every MLB club faces a difficult task in starting and maintaining a 2020 season. However, the Blue Jays is the only affiliate outside the United States to face unique challenges.
The Toronto organization announced today that it will gather its players and employees at its Dunedin, Florida facility. The club says it will “start screening and isolating the shot” there.
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The next step of the Jays will depend on the views of the relevant Canadian authorities. When approval is granted, the club says it will charter a flight to train in Toronto “under a modified quarantine that is isolated from the public.” Otherwise, it will keep its employees at the Dunedin facility and conduct summer training there.
Only ten days ago, the Blue Jays ceased activities in their spring complex when coronavirus cases hit the neighboring Phillies facility and skyrocketed across the state of Florida. Indeed, there was cause for concern as several players and staff tested positive for COVID-19 infections.
This mini-outbreak has underlined the need for strict measures if this campaign is to be carried out in a reasonably safe manner. That applies all the more to the Jays. As there are already cases within the organization and the situation in Florida continues to deteriorate, the meeting in Dunedin must be carried out carefully.
The Blue Jays are undoubtedly aware of all of this and are planning accordingly. The team’s stated preference is to train and play in Toronto, which means convincing Canadian federal, provincial and local governments that this can be done without undue risk. As Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reported on Twitter today, this process appears to be moving towards a favorable outcome for the Jays.
