Alternative Entertainment Options if the MLB Season is Delayed
Starved for baseball-related content, fans could be forced to explore other viewing options if this current lockout extends into the regular season.
With a Feb. 28 negotiating deadline on the horizon, Major League Baseball and the Players Association are running out of time to strike a new deal. If one isn’t reached by this date, then Opening Day 2022 will be pushed back and the schedule will be shortened from 162 games.
As things currently stand, the owners don’t appear willing to negotiate in good faith, preventing anything more than just minimal progress to be made over the past few days.
The ball is completely in the owner’s court right now, as ironic as that seems. Unless something drastic occurs over the weekend, there’s little hope to have a new Collective Bargaining Agreement put in place before that hard deadline passes.
As everyone already knows, losing regular-season games won’t benefit anyone, especially the fans. Cancelling even a handful of contests could be devastating for the league and this sport.
Not to mention what might happen if the 2022 campaign is delayed by a month or two. For now, let’s attempt to remain optimistic and hope that outcome doesn’t come to pass.
In all likelihood, MLB will begin cancelling games early next week, of course, assuming this lockout continues. Depending on how long these cancellations stretch, baseball fans could potentially be without any content well into the spring.
Without any baseball to consume, most people are likely to experience a huge void in their lives – similar to the feeling when COVID-19 shortened the 2020 season to 60 games. How will these fans adjust? And what might they watch instead of MLB?
Luckily, there shouldn’t be any shortage of quality viewing options, particularly from a baseball standpoint.
In 2020, none of the other four major North American leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL) were operating while MLB and its players fought over prorated salaries and various other concerns. This time around, however, that won’t be the case.
Both the NHL and NBA will soon begin the playoff portions of their schedules, which should draw plenty of attention. These alone should satisfy hungry sports fans that don’t have any baseball games to watch.
Aside from sports, there are thousands of hours compiled on the slew of streaming platforms available across the globe. There, shows and movies can be played commercial-free with just a click.
Still, for any die-hard baseball fans out there, a few quality options remain. Though watching the highest level of competition isn’t one of them, three leagues can specifically cater to this audience.
First, there’s MiLB (Minor League Baseball), which will see the triple-A schedule begin on Apr. 5. Other levels will open their respective campaigns a couple of days later, Apr. 8.
This route will provide fans with an opportunity to observe their franchise’s most talented prospects before they reach the majors. It might not be top-notch quality, however, it’ll probably be the next best thing to watching the best players in the world.
Among the many prospects that’ll be on display, catcher Adley Rutschman is likely to garner plenty of attention in ‘22, particularly from Baltimore Orioles fans.
After logging 185 plate appearances in his inaugural campaign at triple-A last season, the 24-year-old is expected to open the year at that same level. Before too long, the 6’2” backstop could soar to the majors less than three seasons after being selected first overall during the 2019 Draft.
Then there’s Kansas City Royals emerging star, Bobby Witt Jr. Similar to Rutschman, Witt Jr. is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in North America, and is projected to return to triple-A Omaha this season.
Known for his immense power and run-producing tendencies, the 21-year-old doesn’t appear far away from making a sizable impact at the major league level. If he excels out of the gate, perhaps the talented infielder could also debut in the majors at some point this summer.
For Detroit Tigers fans, keeping a close eye on their triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, will allow them to monitor two integral pieces of their franchise’s future.
The organization consists of several top-rated prospects, although few are more appealing than Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. While both players require further development, they should each provide a strong boost to Detroit’s young line-up once they reach the majors.
Saving one of the top catching prospects for last, the Toronto Blue Jays think very highly of Gabriel Moreno, and rightly so. Second to Rutschman, there might not be a more hyped player in the minors than Moreno.
Coming off another dominating performance, the 22-year-old will almost certainly begin this season at triple-A Buffalo, where he compiled just 10 plate appearances in ‘21. Now, the 5’11” catcher will aim to further improve his craft, both offensively and defensively.
Though Canadians will surely be focused on the NHL and NBA, without the Blue Jays, they definitely won’t want to miss Moreno in action.
When it comes to foreign professional baseball, the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) – which can be watched on the Naver app – gained massive popularity amid the 2020 COVID-shortened season, and could do so once again in ‘22.
For those who missed it, the KT Wiz won the 2021 Korean Series – South Korea’s World Series – and are hoping to defend their first-ever crown this season. The 2022 campaign will be their eighth season since joining the league.
If this club aims to repeat, they’ll require another impressive performance from starter Odrisamer Despaigne, who spent six seasons with five different MLB franchises (Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, Orioles).
Over the off-season, the KBO gained a very popular name and a former Los Angeles Dodger, Yasiel Puig, who signed a one-year deal with the Kiwoom Heros. Following a two-year stint away from MLB, the 31-year-old will attempt to rejuvenate his career in Korea.
As for the NC Dinos, who are one of the most popular franchises in the KBO, they’re looking to rebound after a disappointing 2021 performance. Despite winning it all in ‘20, they failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, finishing seventh in the league standings.
Unfortunately, the Dinos will embark on this next journey without notable slugger Sung-Bum Na, who departed through free agency to sign a lucrative deal with the Kia Tigers earlier this winter.
Na, 32, attempted to transition over to MLB last off-season, but shortly after being posted, he couldn’t locate a suitable offer and ultimately returned to Korea.
Along with the KBO, Japan’s NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) is another league worth investing in amid MLB’s lockout. Granted, games aren’t easily accessible in North America, although it’d still be beneficial to stay up-to-date with.
Remember outfielder Adam Jones? Well, after enjoying a very successful MLB career, the 36-year-old has spent the previous two seasons with the Orix Buffaloes and is preparing to play a third with this organization in ‘22.
In addition to Jones, the Buffaloes – who fell to the Yakult Swallows in last season’s Japan Series – are led by ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. At just 23, the right-hander is already considered one of the top arms in Japan, however, he isn’t eligible to be posted until after 2025.
Moving on to the Yomiuri Giants, who’re widely viewed as the NPB’s New York Yankees, they’re hoping for a bounce-back performance from starter Tomoyuki Sugano. Hindered by injuries for the second time in three seasons, the 32-year-old is aiming to surge past his recent health concerns, allowing him to stay on the mound this time around.
As for his potential future in MLB, well, that remains unclear. Earlier this off-season, Sugano could’ve opted out of his current contract, but decided against it. A strong 2022 performance may entice him to revisit this option next winter, but we shall see.
There might not be any MLB games to watch this spring, although that shouldn’t prevent fans from satisfying their baseball itch. At the very least, this could be the perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of the lower levels of this sport.
Obviously, everyone just wants to cheer for their favourite team. If that isn’t feasible to begin the 2022 season, then perhaps everyone may need to expand their horizons in the short term.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85