According to rumors, two changes are in the offing for MLB with the new CBA (labor agreement with owners) One rumor that baseball has floated is moving the Astros to the AL. Really? Who cares? They want to have the same number of teams in each league. I guess that's not a bad idea.
Another thing that probably will happen, because of money; is adding one more wild card team in each league for the playoffs.
Not sure I like this idea. In danger of having too many teams in the playoffs, making the season longer (it is already too long) and watering down the playoffs.
I suppose that if the two wild card teams in each league played each to get to the rest of the games that would be ok except for the extra time it takes, even if it is a three game series.
They also are talking about making the wild card series a seven game series, again; money.
I hate that the NBA and NHL have half their teams in the playoffs, don't think baseball should expand the playoffs.
MLB should also shorten the season by having more doubleheader day/night games.
I have given up on the greedy pukes ever going back to true doubleheader. One ticket-two games. Awesome.
Lebron apparently left his heart in Cleveland. Or he drank too much chicken soup.
Pirates are getting good dudes. Wait till Pedro comes back. Andew McCutchen is becoming a star.
Vote for him in all-star game.
http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=457705
Please help the Yankees, send a few good pitchers over.
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I tried to post something about this earlier but my work blocked it..I'll try again.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110613/SPT04/106140333/Realignment-talk-filled-options?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cp
Not sure how I feel about this. Total realignment of both the National and American League. Currently there are 16 and 14 teams in each league so it would go to 15/15 and add another Wild Card team. This would make the teams that make the playoffs the top 5 teams in each of would now be 2 divisions.
How would this affect the division rivalries? I'd agree the parity would be weakend more than now. Now at least the Reds, Dbacks, Marlins and Indians can compete. Twins have a chance each year. Top 5 would bump those teams down to the bottom unless they were 90+ wins. Could be adverse in that regard but maybe it would create new rivalries? Which almost contridicts 100+ years of baseball history and tradition.
This will be decided in Bud Selig's obsession and influence into the CBA talks that we'll hear about for the next year plus. Another topic at hand?
Adding a 5th playoff team, another wild card winner so it would then be similar to the NFL playoff bracket. BUT the two Wildcard teams would play a ONE game playoff to determine who moves on to face the #1 Seed. Wow. Talk about drama. That would be a) A bit radical a change and b) AWESOME television and in game drama. Real drama too. Not who got a dui or beat their wife but the amazing baseball we all love where every pitch counts, every single is a potential game changing rally, every homerun is an iconic shot that we remember. It would also really at least give that #1 seed some benefit for winning. At least make that Wildcard use up that big starter in that one game elimation so they are that much more burned out the start of the 2nd round. Another option was a 3 or 5 game series where that wild card team would only get 1 home game out of the whole series. Interesting angle, possibly could work and then the #1 seed really wouldn't have any excuses for losing. I'm personally not a big fan of the complaint against playing wild card teams. If you lost to a Wild Card team you probably were not the best team in the league anyway.
Thoughts? Something is going to happen for sure in the next agreement. Selig always gets his way.
Check this out. Dbacks to AL West??
ReplyDeletehttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110613&content_id=20445572&vkey=news_ari&c_id=ari
I am 50/50 on the idea of evening out the teams and extending the playoffs. i really don't care too much about Astros moving, but having another playoff game would be awesome if it's a one gamer. another 7 game series, not so much.
ReplyDeleteDbacks moving? Interesting. That would bring the RedSox and Yanks into town more often. I'm all about that. Not to mention I won't have to go to any more Cubs and Dodger games. God I hate those fans!!!
The Dbacks usually struggle during inner league play, as the article states, it's a 50/50
The entire reason I started PSWA was because of our huge email thread which started talking about realignment. My suggestion was adding a team to AL to make two 16 team leagues with four 4 team divisions like the NFL. This new suggestion of moving one team to AL to have 2 15 team leagues works too except why get rid of the divisions? Why not have 3 divisions of 5 teams? Keep the same playoff format, 3 division winners, one wild card. I don't like 5 playoff teams and plus I don't get it. If there's 5 teams how will that work? 2 plays 5 and 3 plays 4 and then the two winners play to play the 1 seed? An odd number of teams doesn't make sense. Or is it the 4 and 5 teams play a one game playoff and then play the 1 seed? That would be cool but then the wild card has momentum even if they used their ace.
ReplyDeleteThe reason to keep the divisions is to keep the age old rivalries still alive. If the Blue Jays play the Orioles its a big deal, even if they're 15 games back it's still a big series for those teams because they play each other, and maybe their playing to NOT finish in the basement of the AL EAST. Finishing last in a division is the worst and teams try their hardest to not finish last. With no divisions, when the Pirates play the Astros it won't be as big of a deal because there is no divisional rivalry. Maybe it will mean something because they'll be playing to not finish 15th in the league but that's it.
I think they should keep the divisions or add a team to the AL making it two 16 team leagues where 6 teams go to the playoffs just like the NFL. That means 12 teams make the playoffs where 20 do not.
We do not need another team in the league. It only dilutes the league. Let's wait until all teams can compete annually before adding another team that cannot.
ReplyDeleteThese are all just rumors right now. But I assure you, Bud Selig will win in whatever he is going for. This is his last hurrah and one that he's been fighting for since his last move, The Wild Card.
He's done a lot of great things for baseball, I really believe that so I'm not sure he's ALL bad for baseball. Just not sure 15 and 15 without divisions and rivalries would be good for baseball or outright horrible. I'm with Nate in keeping the divisions and East, West, Central with 5 teams each league. Why not? Makes perfect sense. I love playing the Giants, Rockies, Padres, and knowing that those games directly count to the standings. You could argue that every game would count if you had all 15 in one standings I guess but just wouldn't have the same you vs. me affect as a fan. We'll see but it'll be interesting to see how it all goes down.