Yankees' Kyle Higashioka in favor of MLB's Arizona plan: 'It might give everyone a little escape'

One proposal would lead to the 2020 season being played in Arizona

4/13/2020, 6:16 PM
Apr 13, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A general view of game action between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Camporeale
Apr 13, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A general view of game action between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Camporeale

One proposal that has been discussed between the league and MLBPA would lead to the 2020 MLB season being played in Arizona, with all 30 teams gathering there in a very controlled situation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci is among the officials to respond with initial positivity to the idea.

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso recently called the idea "pretty realistic," and Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka wrote Monday that he was in favor of it.

"I know the "Arizona plan" got a lot of attention last week, and my agents at Beverly Hills Sports Council kind of gave me the scoop on that," Higashioka wrote in the New York Post. "I'd be glad just to play baseball at all. I'd be grateful for the opportunity to have even a partial season. It would give fans something to look forward to. I don't know how many other live sports would be on TV. It might give everyone a little escape. I don't know anything about the logistics, but I would feel very fortunate to play this year if we have a season."

Higashioka's teammate, Adam Ottavino, said last week that he would support the idea.

"I've seen it (the Arizona idea). I don't have any good insight but I would be in the camp of supporting the idea," he said. "I'm sure a lot would have to go right for it to actually happen but I'm hoping it can work because I want to play."

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