Far fetched idea for the MLB

[NYJets]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

I just think baseball has been around too long in its current format to really make a change that drastic. Even though the Royals and Pirates have been terrible for a long time, they've still played in and won playoff games and world series. I don't see their fans getting excited about competing for a meaningless championship that will only give them the opportunity to be the last place teams they already are right now in the major leagues. Also, I could see it only increasing the advantage the big market teams have. Players could be even more hesitant to play for the small market teams knowing that they could be playing in a lower league for half the contract.

I could see this working more for hockey, since hockey needs something to gain some popularity back, and because a lot of their minor league teams have really good support, so they already have a history of supporting a lesser league. But I don't really follow hockey that much, so I could be off base on this.

[dickey1331]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

Yeah as a Rangers fan I dont like this idea. I dont think this idea would work very well for any American sport. That kind of format isnt really used here and I dont see it being welcomed.

[Salhus]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

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

Shouldn't even of mentioned that. Nobody on forums listen to anything analaysts say.

They think their just like us, get paid for just having an opinion.

[DrJones]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

This would make the gap between the rich and poor much greater, as it in the Premiership. Money would quickly dry up in the "B" league, as fans of the Royals and Pirates would NEVER get to see the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, etc., nor would they see any superstars, as they would all flock to the "A" league.

Relegation is workable in soccer because A.) Soccer is far more popular in Europe than baseball is in America, and B.) operating costs for small European soccer teams are far less than equivalent costs for MLB teams.

[DrJones]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

If you want a far-fetched idea, here's mine. Get rid of the wild card and re-align thusly:

NL West: Arizona, LA Dodgers, San Diego, San Francisco
NL North: Chi Cubs, Cincinnati, Colorado, Milwaukee
NL South: Atlanta, Florida, Houston, St. Louis
NL East: NY Mets, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

AL West: LA Angels, Minnesota, Oakland, Seattle
AL North: Chi White Sox, Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto
AL South: Baltimore, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Texas
AL East: Boston, NY Yankees

Yep, the time has come. ESPN and Fox only care about the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees and Red Sox only care about beating each other. Everyone else is tired of seeing both of them in the playoffs every year. Why not let them beat up on each other for one and only one playoff spot each year, while ESPN salivates, and the rest of us go about our business and enjoy 8 pennant races?

[Cebby]

Re: Far fetched idea for the MLB

This would make the gap between the rich and poor much greater, as it in the Premiership. Money would quickly dry up in the "B" league, as fans of the Royals and Pirates would NEVER get to see the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, etc., nor would they see any superstars, as they would all flock to the "A" league.

Exactly

In the 1990s, the Washington Wizards sucked, so the owner came up with the "come see Michael Jordan, Shaq, Barkley, AI, etc play the Wizards." While the Orioles suck, they can at least count on the Yankees and Red Sox fans coming a few times each year. As attendance revenue dries up (with several of the teams likely folding), TV contracts would approach 0. Free agent signings would be limited to mediocre players and maybe a team significantly overpaying for a good player.

Finally, even when a team does finally put together a good season (see Tampa) it wouldn't matter unless they do it several times in a row. 2008 Tampa, 2007 Colorado, and 2006 Detroit would have all had World Series seasons for nothing since they would have come in the B league.