Yankees' Adam Ottavino on potential 2020 season in Arizona: 'I would be in the camp of supporting the idea'

Ottavino is the first New York-based player to speak out

4/7/2020, 7:38 PM

The idea that the 2020 MLB season can be played solely in Arizona has gained some traction over the last 24 hours, with SNY's Andy Martino hearing from sources that "high-ranking members of the medical community" have backed the plan. 

So how do the players feel about it? 

There is sure to be mixed opinions on the matter, but Yankees RHP Adam Ottavino told the New York Post's Joel Sherman that he would be on board. 

"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."

Ottavino is the first New York-based player to speak out about the situation publicly, but others may soon come forward because they could share his view of simply wanting baseball back. The preparation that was put in during the offseason -- and even now in self-isolation -- is a process players would love to be able to put to use in actual games. 

However, as Martino found out, other players don't want to leave their families in what would be a heavily socially-distanced baseball society in Arizona.

"The idea of being away from my family for four or five months is not appealing," an All-Star pitcher told Martino. 

The plan still has a lot of details to iron out, which includes hotel staffing, how players, staff and others must conduct themselves in and out of the facilities, and much more. 

But Ottavino is one that wants to play. He'd obviously love to collect the $9 million he's owed this season in his second year of a three-year, $27 million deal. 

We'll see if more of his teammates feel the same way. 

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