Jorge Mateo’s positive test highlights potential flaws

Just after being acquired by the San Diego Padres, Jorge Mateo tested positive for COVID-19. This shows a major flaw in MLB’s testing program.

At the time, the Jorge Mateo trade was a fairly minor deal. He was out of options, and was never really in consideration in the battle of the Oakland A’s second base opening. While the Padres had their own logjam at second, he appeared to be in a better fit in San Diego, getting a fresh start and a chance to compete for a role. The biggest question involved the future identity of the Player to be Named Later.

Then came Mateo’s intake test. That test came back positive for COVID-19, which he has exhibited some mild symptoms. On the positive side, Mateo is starting to feel better, and will hopefully be healthy soon.

Interestingly, the trade came before Major League Baseball had begun intake testing, so it is entirely improbable that the A’s would have known of his diagnosis. Also, Mateo has yet to be at the Padres’ facilities, meaning that he has not infected any of his new teammates.

But this positive test highlights a possible issue for MLB moving forward. There have been delays in these tests, not just in the players being tested, but in the results coming back. MLB says that the process will improve going forward, but there are enough issues currently where players and teams are skeptical of that being the case.

Let’s say that a player is dealt at the trade deadline this season. That player is expected to be a key piece in a playoff push, bringing back a top prospect in return. What happens if that player, three days later, is discovered to have tested positive for COVID-19?

This could be a deterrent for potential deals this season. The trade deadline may nominally be August 31, but any deals made could take place prior to that date. Teams may not want to wait until the last minute, just in case the pandemic rears its head in these transactions.

Those concerns could also lead to disappointing returns on the trade market. Instead of those top tier prospects, teams could be getting less than anticipated. The Player to be Named Later could be a popular target as well, with teams agreeing on compensation once it is known that these players are healthy.

Jorge Mateo heading to the San Diego Padres was a minor trade at the time. That deal could have major repercussions moving forward throughout the season.