MLB is focusing on a plan to have players in training camps in May. Yahoo Finance’s Dan Roberts joins the On The Move panel to discuss MLB's latest plans.

Video Transcript

JULIE HYMAN: Well, sports leagues are figuring out how to weather the coronavirus and also, in some cases, how to somehow manage to operate amidst this. Dan Roberts is looking at the case of Major League Baseball in particular. And they're talking about spring training. How is that going to work?

DAN ROBERTS: Yeah, they are, Julia, and in fact, not spring training-- actually starting their regular season. All 30 teams under this potential plan would stay in the Phoenix area and start playing regular-season games only around there. So obviously, the Arizona Diamondbacks' stadium would come into play as well as 10 or more or spring training facilities that are already being used.

And if this happens, MLB will be the first major league sport to return, which is interesting, since, you know, MLS, NHL, NBA-- all of their seasons were already underway, and they hit pause. So interesting-- the idea that Major League Baseball, which actually hadn't begun its season yet, would be the first to return. But they're kind of uniquely situated to do it since so many teams are already in the Phoenix area for spring training, where a lot of teams do it.

Of course, many other teams were in Florida. Boy, it would be difficult logistically. You know, this plan would require all the players to stay in nearby hotels and be totally isolated. They would only travel back and forth between their hotel room and the stadiums. And ESPN's Buster Olney has already said that some players are saying that they're opposed to this, and they don't necessarily love this idea. They don't think it's safe yet.

I don't know what Major League Baseball would do about those players if they had players actually refuse to play. But supposedly, MLB and the MLBPA-- the Players Association-- as well as the CDC have given this their blessing. That's not to say it will happen. You know, ad Major League Baseball came out with a statement, saying, it's just one thing that we're considering, and we haven't made any decisions yet.

It would be a real kind of, you know, precedent set for the other sports leagues, because if Major League Baseball does that, well then, you would imagine other dominoes to follow. Maybe the NBA says, OK, we're going to return and start our season in closed arenas with no fans. And I'm not sure I mentioned, but under this plan, obviously no fans would be at these games in the Phoenix area. But it's a way for Major League Baseball to get its season going. It does, as of right, now look maybe a little hasty. But we don't know what things will be like an in May.

JULIE HYMAN: Good point-- still a lot of questions, however. Thank you, Dan, for keeping us posted.