Floating Realignment in MLB
It's unlikely, but it sure sounds interesting.
almost 2 years ago
Bill Potter
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No, no, a zillion times no.
This is a horrendous idea. It throws out all the history of MLB for purely mercenary reasons.
Awful. It wouldn’t change the current balance of power and in fact, might make it worse.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
There's no way it would happen.
Baseball is far too staid to go crazy with an idea like this. Thankfully.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
In most cases...
… such as the dumb TV blackouts, I think MLB’s “staidness” is a bad idea.
In this case, though, it’s the right thing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Is this a joke?
Like the history of four teams of four new teams in the past twenty years including a fifth team that moved from it’s home city?
A league where almost half of the teams did not exist before 1961?
A league that allowed one team to play half of it’s ‘home games’ thousands of miles apart in the past five years?
A league that opened a season by making two teams play a horrendous travel series in Japan?
A league that changed it’s All-Star game from an exhibition into a game that determines the balance of the World Series – the ultimate league title?
A league in which there are 2 stadiums built between 1912-1914, 4 stadiums built between 1962 and 1973, and 24 stadiums built between 1987 and present day (more than half of those built in the last decade)?
A league that just adopted video review?
A league that starts keeping track of more and more stats every year?
A league that has split up their division alignment multiple times before?
A league that has even allowed a team to choose which intraleague they want to be in?
The MLB has a great history but to suggest that they wouldn’t adopt this idea or SHOULDN’T adopt this idea because of history is a stick your head in the sand type move.
With 30 teams in the league and no salary cap – something has to change. You have drastically different sized markets and many teams that start the season with no hope to even sniff the playoffs. It’s not even about giving them a chance to make the playoffs – it’s about giving the fans a different dynamic to look at, different players to check out. Cubs fans only get a chance to see David Wright, Jose Reyes, Ryan Howard, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp – three times a year while they see Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Lance Berkman more than enough. Maybe the Pirates want to play in the East to play the Phillies more. The Marlins want to come to the Central where they think they have a better chance. I think that would be great.
I know you have a lot to write but mind just saying more than just “Nope, it’s stupid, won’t work?”
If Cubs get to play on the east coast more
Selfishly, I’d love to see this happen :)
I think this is great
I’m looking for the Cubs to change leagues in the mid-season. Actually, in mid-flight and have the pilot just make a small course correction. A flight from Chicago to Atlanta turns left and you land in Boston for a weekend series. That just happened!
{sarcasm}
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
Brewers, Nationals, Pirates, Indians...part of Selig's "Special Division"
" It’s spring fever - you don’t know what it is you want, but it fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so. "--Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 9, 2010 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe Bud will get the Brewers in their own division so they can win it every year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
yeah, the "Statue Division"
" It’s spring fever - you don’t know what it is you want, but it fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so. "--Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 9, 2010 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
like Special Ed?
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Mar 9, 2010 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
Personally,
I’ve never been a fan of the “unbalanced schedule.” I realize the pro is that teams play against their division and give them chances to win against division rivals, but to me there’s way too little of seeing teams from other divisions, teams that might play against each other in a division series or championship series round. I liked the whole nine games versus opposing division teams and twelve against your own, personally.
Now, that’s one thing I’d change, but since the Selig administration implemented it, that won’t happen until he’s gone, and probably won’t even happen after that.
Entire realignment? As in moving teams to different divisions? I think that’s kinda stupid. What’s wrong with the set up we have now? Christ, might as well just change it back to “East” and “West” for both leagues and eliminate the Division Series while we’re at it
its more than that
You’re playing more games against the teams that you are directly battling for the divisional playoff spot.
Ovvrreaction to Red Sox - Yankees Success
The Yankees and Red Sox need to both be in the AL East every season. There is no guarantee that both of those teams will continue to be good forever. Do they have the advantage of large payrolls? Yes, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Ask the New York Mets about that.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Much easier said when we're the top spender in our division
And not fans of the Orioles or Blue Jays.
that's what they were saying about the Devil Rays years ago
But look what they were able to do. They will make the playoffs eventually. Bud is just looking way to at the short run right here.
This is the year...
One of the bottom 3 making the playoffs once every ten years isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of the system
I’m not saying it’s impossible. It’s just a sucky reality to be in where being 10 games above .500 isn’t good enough to compete, when other divisions have put teams in the playoffs with records at or around .500.
However, if the Cubs were in that division, 2008 would probably have been the only year we would even have been competing for a playoff spot.
Well it's still much easier for teams to compete now
As opposed to 15 years ago when only two teams from each league made the playoffs
This is the year...
I definitely agree with that
But for a sport that is looking to maximize revenue (even at the expense of some of the purist fans) a system that allows for more teams to be able to keep their fans interested (and spending money) every year, I can see how a floating realignment system would be appealing.
Wiggle Room Teams
There may be a few teams I could see moving from time to time.
NL: Pirates, Reds, Braves, Marlins
AL: Tigers, Indians, Rays, Blue Jays
Maybe, you could move the Pirates and Reds to the east and the Braves and Marlins to the central depending on how those teams perform.
Maybe, you could move the Tigers and Indians to the east and the Rays and Blue Jays to the central depending on how those teams perform.
Most teams need to stay in their current division every single year. Quite frankly, I don’t think it would be a good idea for those 8 MLB teams I named to be allowed to change divisions from season to season. I just feel it would be more feasible for those 8 teams to be allowed to do that. I still think it’s a bad idea.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Rangers and Royals
I could add them to the AL list. One could go the west with the other going to the central depending on team performance. It’s still a bad idea.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Pacific Time Zone Teams
Any plan that would have a pacific time zone move away from the west division of the NL and AL would simply be ridiculous because of travel concerns.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Locked Teams and Floating Teams
Locked Teams:
NL: Mets, Phillies in the East; Dodgers, Giants, and Padres in the West
AL: Yankees, Red Sox in the East; Mariners, Athletics, and Angels in the West
Other NL division options:
NL Central, West, or East: Cardinals
NL Central or West: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Astros
NL Central or East: Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates, Marlins, Nationals, Braves
Other AL division options:
AL Central, West, or East: Twins
AL Central or West: Rangers, Royals
AL East or Central: Orioles, Rays, Indians, Tigers, Blue Jays, White Sox
There are only 11 MLB teams west of Minneapolis.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
To have a team that almost borders the Atlantic to be in a Central division
is almost as stupid as naming a basketball team in Utah “the Jazz”
This is the year...
True Enough
Remember, the Braves and Reds used to be in the NL West. In fact, the Falcons were in the NFC West for the longest time. The Buccaneers used to be in the NFC Central. I’ve heard that the owners of the Jazz didn’t know if they were going to back to New Orleans or not because of litigation. The owners ended up keeping the Jazz name in Salt Lake City. Lakers seemed to be a more appropriate name in Minneapolis than it has in Los Angeles.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
The Jazz and Hornets should just swap nicknames
New Orleans is the home of jazz. Utah is the “beehive state.” While hornets are not bees, they’re close enough.
Problem solved.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Or, the Grizzlies nickname should go to Utah.
I’m guessing there are more of those in Utah than there is Jazz. Or Hornets.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
More Blues in Memphis than Jazz...
Just being picky
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
OT: WUMR, U92
I used to work for the University of Memphis radio station, WUMR, U92, called the “Jazz Lover”.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
what about the Lakers
in Los Angeles?
Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/
I'll grandfather that one in (begrudgingly).
But it makes no sense. Now, are there timber wolves in Minnesota? I have no idea. But it makes far more sense than to have the Jazz in Utah.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Stupid team nicknames
The Utah Jazz has to rank up near the top along with the LA Lakers.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Mar 10, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Either this or English-soccer relegation...
Have one league consist of teams that have a hard cap and ceiling and the other have no caps. Pittsburgh, Kansas City, etc. in one and Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, etc. in the other.
That way, all the teams have an equal shot at the World Series, and then each year you would have a David v. Goliath World Series!
Thank. Me. Later.
Steve Swisher - 1976 NL All-Star Catcher
as far as realignment, i would like to see
the washington gnats in th al east and tampa in the nl east. natural rivalries could spur attendance for these clubs.
That's our Commish...
- Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
- Germans?
- Forget it, he's rolling.
**pukes all over desk**
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
How about this
Eight teams in the playoffs for each league?
Albeit it isn’t the greatest idea and it would mean more than half the league is in the playoffs each year, but it’s doable and it gives those teams a chance. Keep it similar to the NBA style where the division winners can’t be outside the top four.
Maybe do six teams, similar to the way the NFL does it
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Eight teams in the playoffs?
I presume you won’t mind watching the World Series with your Thanksgiving dinner.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I thought of that
I was hoping nobody would catch me. Maybe that would be an excuse to reduce ST and the season by a week or two each
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 10, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
8 teams in the playoffs?
No friggin way. That is insane.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Mar 10, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
Why?
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 10, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Well, for one thing, you'd likely wind up with some under-.500 teams in the playoffs.
Example: in last year’s AL, the team with the 8th-best record was the White Sox: 79-83.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Here are two reasons:
1. The season is already too long
2. You should have to win something to qualify for post season play.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Mar 10, 2010 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
The only thing the seems makes sense to me is
2 major leagues with 2 divisions (East / West) of 8 teams each.
The schedule :
Against each other team of the same division – two 4 game home and two four games away series = 112 games
Against each team of the other division – one 3 games home and one three games away series = 48 games
160 game season with no interleague play.
First and second place teams in the playoffs.
3 playoff rounds entailing maximum of 17 games for a team.
1st Round: 2nd place team plays 5 game series against 1st place of other division
2nd Round: Winners of first round play a 5 games series for league championship (Pennant)
3rd Round: World Series
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
EEE Gads: Proff reading failure: ... that seems to make ...
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Rob Neyer explains the impracticalities of doing this.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That was a fairly worthless article
1. He suggests that the Orioles and the Indians may not want to switch at the same time. I don’t see how that’s an issue. Make each league cap out at 6 teams. The Indians could join the AL East to make it a six-team league. I don’t see how you could argue against this since you already have the NL Central with 6 teams and the AL West with 4 teams.
2. He also says “and that they’ll volunteer to do those things well before the season in question”. Hello? Make a deadline of November 15. Can’t meet the deadline? You don’t get to switch. How is that complicated?
3. The players? Is that an argument? Neyer says we haven’t heard from the players. He doesn’t talk about how much power they would have in the process.
Those are impracticalities? That was a nothing article.
by IllinoisCubs on Mar 10, 2010 1:20 PM CST up reply actions
Well, essentially, Neyer was explaining why it wouldn't work.
And it wouldn’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
All I see is hurdles that would need to be addressed
1. Yes, it wouldn’t be a free for all – you would have to come up with an order that teams could switch leagues and you would have to come up with league caps. That’s really easy to do. Go teams 30-1 by who finished with what record. Leagues would be capped at 6 teams and you would be stuck in a league if it had 4 teams. Teams could trade players even for a league spot. This is easy, what am I missing?
2. Yes, there would have to be rules and deadlines. Even a ‘league’ draft that took place right after the World Series. Three days – each team gets two and half hours to make their decision. Why would this be hard? You draw up multiple scenarios ahead of time. This would be easier for teams than the actual MLB draft. Schedule makers make up the schedule later on – maybe the schedule has to be released a couple of weeks later than usual. Neyer says that the MLB LIKES to release the schedule early not that this is requirement. If the teams don’t sell tickets until February/March, what’st he point anyway of having everything ready to go in November/December?
3. The players – again there’s nothing there. You, me, no one knows how the union would come out. Maybe they would like to have players get into more markets? One year Andrew McCutchen is in Chicago-St.Louis-Houston, the next year he is in New York-Philadelphia-Atlanta. More of the country becomes familiar with him. This could increase the players visibility over the team they play for. More national ad revenue potential for some players. Who knows? No one because Neyer didn’t have any quotes from MLBPA reps.
by IllinoisCubs on Mar 10, 2010 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
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