MLB Cancels Remainder of GM Meetings After Virus Sweeps Through Executives

What was initially believed to be food poisoning turned out to be a virus, and MLB called off the rest of the GM meetings in the wake of several cases.

The remainder of the annual MLB General Manager Meetings have been canceled, according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein.

As of Wednesday, more than 30 of the roughly 300 executives in attendance for the unofficial launch to the 2023 MLB offseason had come down with a stomach ailment, which was initially believed to stem from food poisoning. The league requested that the staff at the Moni Montelucia Resort wear masks and gloves while serving food, and for executives to report any illnesses so they could track the outbreak with the assistance of the Arizona Diamondbacks' team doctors.

More people developed symptoms later in the day, however, and it was determined that the cause of the sickness sweeping through Scottsdale, Arizona, was a virus.

That led to the league calling off the rest of the event, which started Tuesday and was scheduled to continue through Thursday.

Update: It’s definitely a virus, not food poisoning, and as a result MLB has canceled the rest of the meetings. https://t.co/JFQsanfp1G https://t.co/8BKTWSYIRB

— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) November 9, 2023

The MLB GM meetings are designed to bring teams together at the very beginning of the offseason, taking place at the start of free agency and after all option and qualifying offer decisions have been made. Between their meetings with the media and their backroom details with other teams, it is typically the time for front offices to lay the groundwork for the months ahead, whether that be in relation to trade negotiations, payroll distribution or the bigger picture beyond their 2024 Opening Day roster.

The next time all 30 MLB teams will be in one place is for the Winter Meetings, which take place in Nashville from Dec. 3 to 6.

GMs, presidents and owners are expected to swing much bigger deals at the Winter Meetings than they would at the GM Meetings, even in a year when the first event goes through to completion. The Contemporary Baseball Committee will also conduct a vote for any upcoming Hall of Fame inductees on Dec. 3, and the MLB Draft Lottery will take place on Dec. 5.

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