Royals' Gordon thinks players are up for MLB's Arizona plan

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Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon thinks players would be open to a reported plan by Major League Baseball to play all of their games in Arizona this season, which could force them to spend time away from their families while in quarantine.

"I think people need something to watch, they're tired of watching replays and stuff like that," Gordon told Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star. "I think sports is kind of a good way to kind of get away from everything that's going on with your life, with your world. I think baseball, basketball, whatever sport it is, it would be good just to have something to kind of get away and watch and enjoy with other people.

"I think MLB and the players' association know that and want to get something done. It's just a matter of doing the right thing at the right time. I think eventually that will happen, hopefully sooner than later, but we'll see."

Last week, MLB and the MLBPA were reportedly focused on arranging a plan that would allow the season to start as early as May and could see the 2020 campaign spread across empty stadiums in the greater Phoenix area.

The idea generated mixed feelings from players, with Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brett Anderson, Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Wheeler showing varying degrees of opposition. Atlanta Braves left-hander Cole Hamels, on the other hand, mentioned his willingness to make sacrifices and play ball.

Most of the contention toward the idea was related to players being away from their families for an extended period of time, which Gordon, a players' union representative for the Royals, touched on.

"We want to get back to playing and get back to competitiveness, but at the same time, we want to get back to giving our nation, this world, something to watch and something to hang onto," the seven-time Gold Glove winner explained. "So if being in Arizona quarantined for a couple months without fans is the way it's going to be, then I think all players are going to be up for that, just to bring everyone together."

MLB postponed its season indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.