Far fetched idea for the MLB

[Salhus]

Heard a guy on TV (won't mention what company he's employed by) predict something pretty insane that will happen to baseball in the next 10 years. I thought about it and actually liked the idea after he explained.

A relegation and promotion system just like Soccer.

The teams would pretty much be split up down the middle based on performance. They wouldn't just take the NL or AL.

The top league is the elite league and the other is the lesser of the two. They both play for a championship. Bottom 3 of top league get demoted and top 3 of bottom league get promoted after each season.

It would fill the stands much more of the weaker teams. Something baseball lacks is equality.

Both baseball and soccer are very traditional based and have one enormous thing in common. No cap.

I know it's very laughable and pretty far fetched, so don't tell me something I already know. Just ponder the idea and discuss.....

[Blzer]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Just for nostalgic purposes, I have to plug my nose at the idea. However, if I watched it for a few years, I'm sure I would warm up to it and say that it was for the best anyway.

However, it's still nice to always have the underdog and see how they do in the long run (Rays, Marlins). Plus, it's nice to crown one world champion, not two. Finally, it begs to ask the question what kind of exposure the lesser league would get. I understand the AL East already hogs most of the spotlight, but guys like Prince Fielder will get underlooked completely now, rather than just somewhat.

I think, from the perspective of the individual player and the respect that a team will get (though competition is the important thing I suppose), it's probably not the greatest of ideas until completely looked over. Think about it this way: if your team ends up winning it all in the "runner-up league", you will feel good for a second but then just say, "Well, this is only the crappy league."

We'll see what really happens, but with Selig out of the picture soon, anything discussed now is best saved for the Make A Wish Foundation. All joking aside, I don't really feel they'll be breaking tradition anytime soon.

[SPTO]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

The idea of a relegation system for baseball has been floated about in some form or fashion for a long time. I heard one variation that the worst place MLB team goes to AAA while the top AAA teams plugs in the spot that the former MLB team had. That idea is pretty silly but this idea of two leagues based on record and such is an interesting idea.

I don't think it'd fly in some markets but it would sure make things a lot easier for those who can't compete with the mega spenders out there.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Heard a guy on TV (won't mention what company he's employed by) predict something pretty insane that will happen to baseball in the next 10 years. I thought about it and actually liked the idea after he explained.

A relegation and promotion system just like Soccer.

The teams would pretty much be split up down the middle based on performance. They wouldn't just take the NL or AL.

The top league is the elite league and the other is the lesser of the two. They both play for a championship. Bottom 3 of top league get demoted and top 3 of bottom league get promoted after each season.

It would fill the stands much more of the weaker teams. Something baseball lacks is equality.

Both baseball and soccer are very traditional based and have one enormous thing in common. No cap.

I know it's very laughable and pretty far fetched, so don't tell me something I already know. Just ponder the idea and discuss.....

While I too have heard this idea floated out there, I don't ever really see this happening (although I've been surprised before). I'll be honest...it would be hard for me to get into it. For all the cries of lack of equality, baseball has had some diverse champions the last 10 years. Let's take a look:

2000 - Yankees
2001- DBacks
2002- Angels
2003- Marlins
2004- Red Sox
2005 - White Sox
2006 - Cardinals
2007 - Red Sox
2008 - Phillies
2009 - Yankees

Baseball actually has more equality than it had in any other time in history outside of the 1980's.

Bottomline - no, I don't ever want to see this happen.

[CMH]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Yea, this idea has floated around for a long while now.

I really don't understand why baseball gets so much flack for salaries when the sport is capable of handling such finances. It's not even like the highest revenue team wins all the time. And parity is much more apparent in baseball than in any of the other major sports.

It's like people want a solution to something that there's no need to resolve. The focus should be on helping low revenue teams make more money, not the other way around.

A relegation system wouldn't solve the issue. Fans are smarter than most writers suspect. The Kansas City fans will know that their team is essentially playing for a championship that doesn't matter. Also, if you remove the high market teams, Kansas City would make less money each season. Teams in their revenue bracket need teams like the Yankees to sell out their stadium and drive revenue.

[Salhus]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

I was ready to get laughed out of this forum, but glad to see this considered.

I didn't hear the idea and jump out of my chair. I liked it and wanted to hear other perspectives.

[Sandman42]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

They would need another league to move teams up from as taking AAA teams wouldn't work. The organization with the AAA affiliate that would be moved up wouldn't be happy since they wouldn't be able to develop their players as now they would be facing MLB competition. As bad as the Royals and Pirates are, AAA teams would be significantly worse.

[Tomahawk]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

They would need another league to move teams up from as taking AAA teams wouldn't work. The organization with the AAA affiliate that would be moved up wouldn't be happy since they wouldn't be able to develop their players as now they would be facing MLB competition. As bad as the Royals and Pirates are, AAA teams would be significantly worse.

That is not what he is saying. Basically the MLB would be divided into an upper and lower league. If you finished in the bottom 3 of the upper league you move to the lower league. If you finished in the top 3 of the upper league you move to the upper league.

No team would be brought up or sent down to AAA.

[Sandman42]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

That is not what he is saying. Basically the MLB would be divided into an upper and lower league. If you finished in the bottom 3 of the upper league you move to the lower league. If you finished in the top 3 of the upper league you move to the upper league.

No team would be brought up or sent down to AAA.

Ah, my bad I just skimmed the post. I just assumed it was AAA because I've heard numerous people argue this before.

Splitting the league in half wouldn't be that bad of an idea, although I might add some extra teams to each league, to get around 18-20 in the league.

[Chaos81]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

It would fill the stands much more of the weaker teams.

Would it? I go to Royals games now (And have season tickets), I'd have no interest in going if promotion and relegation were in place.

But maybe that's just me.

[CMH]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Would it? I go to Royals games now (And have season tickets), I'd have no interest in going if promotion and relegation were in place.

But maybe that's just me.

And I would imagine that the other potential 40,000 fans feel the same way.

The Royals already play in the real league and have trouble getting fans to watch. Pushing them down to a lower league (just for wins) isn't going to win people over. Kansas City fans aren't going to fall for that.

[Salhus]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

A cap is obviously the simplest and easiest route

[ryan36]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Owners in MLB have the means to float a 65-90 million payroll. They're just not forced to.

in any size market, fans / sponsors support a winner. I think they should force these cheap owners to sell their teams.

Kansas City and Pittsburgh used to be among the best teams, because they had the best players. They also scouted.

Teams lose 'cause they're ran poorly. That's it. End of story.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Heard a guy on TV (won't mention what company he's employed by)

I don't listen to anything Chris Connelly has to say.

[Tomahawk]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

A cap is obviously the simplest and easiest route

A cap and a floor is the best thing. Not sure if you any of you have ever read Bob Costas' book from a few years back, but he said a floor is just as necessary as a cap because too many teams at the bottom just pocket the money they get from revenue sharing and the luxury tax. Costas says they should be required to spend that money on the team and I agree with that.