Media Proposal: MLB Expansion and Complete Realignment

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I don't see the point of expansion.   How many teams have issues fielding enough pitchers.



I think what the MLB really needs is a salary floor.   Too may teams just will not spend money.

I agree with you, though I think "the point" of it, as far as MLB is concerned, is nothing more than a cash grab on what would be a couple of new fan bases.

But yeah, as things stand now, the talent pool is already diluted, and there are already numerous teams that have virtually no shot at a WS title, or even contention, and which serve as nothing more than quad-A/feeder teams for the top 4-5 spenders (Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and a couple others).

I think they want to get to 32 teams to make realignment, divisions, & scheduling easier.

The math makes sense, but I'd rather see them contract to bring up the overall talent level. Never happen, of course.

[Moranis]

I don't see the point of expansion.   How many teams have issues fielding enough pitchers.



I think what the MLB really needs is a salary floor.   Too may teams just will not spend money.

I agree with you, though I think "the point" of it, as far as MLB is concerned, is nothing more than a cash grab on what would be a couple of new fan bases.

But yeah, as things stand now, the talent pool is already diluted, and there are already numerous teams that have virtually no shot at a WS title, or even contention, and which serve as nothing more than quad-A/feeder teams for the top 4-5 spenders (Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and a couple others).

I think they want to get to 32 teams to make realignment, divisions, & scheduling easier.

The math makes sense, but I'd rather see them contract to bring up the overall talent level. Never happen, of course.

They could just realign with 3 5 team divisions.

AL
NY, NY, Bos, Phi, Pit
Bal, Was, Atl, TB, Mia
Cle, Cin, Tor, Det, Mil

NL
Min, STL Chi, Chi, KC
Hou, Tex, Ari, Col, LV
Sea, SF, LA, LA, SD

Something like that.  Could split up Chicago teams and swap with Brewers. That might help with markets a bit.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I don't see the point of expansion.   How many teams have issues fielding enough pitchers.



I think what the MLB really needs is a salary floor.   Too may teams just will not spend money.

I agree with you, though I think "the point" of it, as far as MLB is concerned, is nothing more than a cash grab on what would be a couple of new fan bases.

But yeah, as things stand now, the talent pool is already diluted, and there are already numerous teams that have virtually no shot at a WS title, or even contention, and which serve as nothing more than quad-A/feeder teams for the top 4-5 spenders (Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and a couple others).

I think they want to get to 32 teams to make realignment, divisions, & scheduling easier.

The math makes sense, but I'd rather see them contract to bring up the overall talent level. Never happen, of course.

They could just realign with 3 5 team divisions.

AL
NY, NY, Bos, Phi, Pit
Bal, Was, Atl, TB, Mia
Cle, Cin, Tor, Det, Mil

NL
Min, STL Chi, Chi, KC
Hou, Tex, Ari, Col, LV
Sea, SF, LA, LA, SD

Something like that.  Could split up Chicago teams and swap with Brewers. That might help with markets a bit.

Yeah, that would work.

[Moranis]

Fox did this because Manfred recently talked about expansion and complete realignment.  The league likes the idea of 32 teams and 8, 4 team divisions.  They believe it will save significant dollars in travel and by realigning will make their product more marketable.  They could even sell each division as individual television packages which if they did, they think will optimize their most valuable franchises and lead to more money and more televised games overall.  For example, the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox division would lead to a bidding war and a huge number, and by piecing it out that way you could basically ensure all of those games are aired.  Same with the Dodgers division and to a lesser extent Cubs and Cardinals.  It would allow more tv partners as well with better advertising and optimization to the local markets.