Marty’s musings: amidst a cold and wet spring, we continue to wait for baseball

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

Results from MLB’s antivirus study is in, halfway around the world the KBO kicks off their season, and J-Lo and AROD are reportedly out on the Mets ownership group.

News & Notes

10,000 - MLB employees who took part in the 30-team study related to COVID-19 antibodies, infection. Over the nearly-5,800 returned tests, 0.7 percent of the count tested positive for antibodies, 70 percent of those were asymptomatic. An interesting study, but not one that translates easily to the general population.

5 - Rounds for the MLB Rule Four draft that will take place in June. The draft is usually 40 rounds, but as part of cost-cutting measures (conveniently blamed on the current health crisis), MLB is eliminating 35(!) rounds, reducing the draftees list from 1,200 to a mere 150.

4 - Percent of payroll that the players agreed to with ownership in March, when they collected $170 million. They agreed to pro-rata salaries if/when the season started, but it seems like a salary dispute is looming for 2020 and beyond.

150 - Million dollars that the New York Post estimates the Mets lost due to a lost half-season, one of the reasons that multiple reports claim that Jennifer Lopez / Alex Rodriguez have pulled out of a potential ownership group. The league has drawn down credit lines, and the Wilpons have doubled-down on keeping their financial interest in SNY, further complicating any potential sale efforts.

1 - AM eastern time that ESPN is airing KBO games. ESPN aired the league opener last week, and continues to broadcast games with american broadcasters announcing from home. The KBO is playing their entire season in front of no fans, but the time zone difference has really put a damper on the endeavor.

7/1? - Potential start date for MLB...rumors abound, but nothing has been set-up yet. Player celebrity-agent Scott Boras wrote an op-ed in the New York Times encouraging a speedy return to the field.

??? - Days until Opening Day.