Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Tom Verducci reports the latest idea to come out of Bud Selig's braintrust:
"Floating" realignment in which teams would not be fixed to a division, but free to change divisions from year-to-year based on geography, payroll and their plans to contend or not.
According to Verducci, the idea "gained strong support" among committee members, who want to address the competitive balance problem, but would rather not go the salary cap route. A couple of example scenarios. Cleveland could go to the AL East, to get 18 money-spinning dates against the Yankees and Red Sox, basically surrendering any chance of a playoff spot. Or Tampa Bay could move to the relatively-cheapskate AL Central for a better crack at postseason play.
I know they're just brainstorming ideas, but the mere fact they came up with this, leaves me seeking a sharp object to jab into my ears. It does nothing to address the actual problem - that two teams outspend everyone else - but instead suggests franchises could simply bail out of trying to compete.
I trust I need not explain why it's stupid beyond belief. At its logical conclusion, the AL East would consist of the Yankees and Red Sox, playing each other 162 times a year, while eight or nine teams fight for one playoff spot in the miserly AL Central. Anyone (not employed by ESPN) think this is a good idea?
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Religation
Just go the EPL route with 16 teams in the high majors and 14 in the low majors and the bottom four spots in the high major drop down and the top four in the low majors move up.
Mountain West Connection
by Jeremy Mauss on Mar 11, 2010 8:23 AM EST reply actions
Like!
Personally, I’d say extend the plan all the way through the minors too.
by silverpie on Mar 12, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
bud selig
Bud Selig is an idiot—put the Brewers back in the AL and how in the world did Washington ever get a franchise! Puerto Rico Totally supported them and drew very well—Again There are so many reasons for Seilig to go I have lost count He just sucks!!!!
by spc7@verizon.net on Mar 11, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions
Baseball
no shifts- but surely a balance could be made every year in each league to allow for competition and Really give the whole league a big boost-even that isnt the best-just make 4 divisions like football-But start with making both Leagues even-and putting the DH in both Leagues-It is and has been a joke for years! Why not make each league with 4 divisions like football—north-south-east-west simple but no wild cards-only winners! and 16 teams in each league then we can add two teams now and balance the whole thing-and trust me the economy will handle it
by spc7@verizon.net on Mar 11, 2010 2:52 PM EST reply actions
beyond stupid
I don’t know if Bud is just stupid or lacks the cajones to stand up to the player’s union. What an excuse for a sport this would potentially be where everyone gets to pick their competition!
by rcnt123 on Mar 11, 2010 4:49 PM EST reply actions
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