Strange times: Three thoughts on the NY Mets during their COVID-19 layoff

These are strange times. 

As others play on, the New York Mets have a weekend off. They did not anticipate this. They'd won three straight games, then boom, news hit that two members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19. 

MLB postponed Thursday's finale in Miami and all three Subway Series games. As of Saturday night, it was unclear when the Mets would play again. 

They did receive good news, though: The tests given to the traveling party and close contacts — those deemed to be within close contact of the members who tested positive — all came back negative. 

Here are three thoughts on the team during this layoff: 

A difficult task 

With coronavirus, it feels like, regardless of how closely a team follows protocols, positive cases can occur. It's scary. 

Since summer camp, the Mets have discussed the strict measures they've implemented. 

Spacing out players in the clubhouse. Staggering workouts. Using every inch of Citi Field to ensure social distancing. Staying more than the recommended six feet apart when possible. 

"Obviously the Mets have done an incredible job here," starting pitcher Marcus Stroman said on a Zoom call announcing his intentions to opt out. "I truly believe that the Mets have done the best job handling all the protocols out of any team in the big leagues. I truly believe that."

Other players have complimented the team's handling of the health-and-safety protocols. Players have discussed policing one another at home and on road trips. 

But there is a reason coronavirus has ruined 2020. It is difficult to entirely stop the spread. 

It feels like a positive case here or there — for any team — might be inevitable, as bad as that sounds. As we've learned over the months, it isn't difficult to become infected. 

Making up games 

The postponed games will need to be made up. If the Mets avoid a full-on outbreak, their schedule seems favorable to get these games in somehow. 

Miami is scheduled to play at Citi Field from Aug. 25-27. The teams could make up their postponed game with a doubleheader on one of those days. 

The Subway Series is also doable. After the Marlins depart New York, the Mets play three games against the Yankees in the Bronx. 

Could the Mets and Yankees work something out on one or two of those days? It's possible. One thought: The postponed games were Mets home games, so would the Mets want the make-up games to be at Citi Field? 

The Mets and Yankees are both off on Monday, Sept. 3 and Sept. 14. Those are possible dates to play the postponed games. 

Player safety 

Player safety is an obvious concern. 

If this layoff only lasts a few days, that's one thing. If it becomes a more serious situation — hopefully it doesn't, for the sake of everyone's health — then it might require a week or more without games. 

Players would need to find ways to work out and stay in shape to ensure they remain safe when they're playing again. We've already seen the result of a short summer camp as there are more injuries league-wide. 

The big leagues are filled with the best of the best. Heck, each level is a step above the one beneath it. 

Each season, you hear prospects talk about adjusting to the speed of the game, the pitching, etc. Imagine getting back into game speed after time off, while most others have been playing. 

The Mets have dealt with many injuries in this shortened season, from Stroman's torn calf muscle to Jacob deGrom's neck tightness to Robinson Canó's grade two groin strain. And that's just from playing the season. Before this, the Mets' regular season had not been affected by coronavirus. 

Now, they face a new challenge when they are cleared to resume action. 

Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com Twitter: @justinctoscano