MLB Realignment Proposal: Two Leagues, 15 Teams
It is a long shot that it would happen but the recent MLB Labor talks have resulted in dialogue between the players union and the owners about the possibility of changing the current division alignment (14 AL teams, 16 NL teams, 6 divisions, 3 division winners and one wild card) to a 'simpler' format, like they have in the NBA and the NHL; two leagues with an even number of teams with the top 4-6 teams earning playoff berths (the idea of expanded playoff teams has been tossed around for quite some time; we already blogged about it here).
Our take- leave the six division format alone, Bud. If you must tinker, go with 15 teams per league but choose the team that moves wisely. MLB would love to move the Astros into the AL to create a Rangers/Astros rivalry but the sensible thing to do would be to move the Brewers back to the AL. The MLB Divisions (east, west, central) work. We love the inter-divison rivalries: BoSox/Yankees, Phils/Mets, Giants/Dodgers, Reds/Cardinals, Twins/White Sox. Those rivalries are created through familiarity. Interleague play should be an after-thought, at this point. It's totally unfair to play more interleague games when the leagues have such different rules. We are all for expanding the wild card entries to two teams as long as it doesn't drag out the season - make it a one game playoff (preferably at a neutral location). What do you think?
Our take- leave the six division format alone, Bud. If you must tinker, go with 15 teams per league but choose the team that moves wisely. MLB would love to move the Astros into the AL to create a Rangers/Astros rivalry but the sensible thing to do would be to move the Brewers back to the AL. The MLB Divisions (east, west, central) work. We love the inter-divison rivalries: BoSox/Yankees, Phils/Mets, Giants/Dodgers, Reds/Cardinals, Twins/White Sox. Those rivalries are created through familiarity. Interleague play should be an after-thought, at this point. It's totally unfair to play more interleague games when the leagues have such different rules. We are all for expanding the wild card entries to two teams as long as it doesn't drag out the season - make it a one game playoff (preferably at a neutral location). What do you think?
For as much of a conflict of interest Bud Selig has had with the league, there's no denying he knows how to monetize the game. That's what this looks like to me. It's all about the almighty dollar. If you just move one team to the AL, you have one team each night that can't play. I've also heard about possible rolling Interleague play where AL and NL teams are always playing.
ReplyDeleteI think having the top 4 or 6 in each league making playoffs will kill pennant chases.
I was watching "When It Was A Game" the other day and something a pitcher from the Cubs said about the 1938 World Series really struck me. He was about to start the opening game and they asked him if he feared the Yankees and he said "how could I fear them if I've never seen them play"? My point? I hate inter league play and miss the non-familiar play of the World Series between 2 teams who haven't played 10 games in the regular season against each other.
ReplyDeleteGreat points... it would be difficult to implement two 15 team leagues and almost impossible to do so without more interleague games.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of Interleague either but it's not going to go away. There are a lot of Yankee fans in places like Florita and Arizona. The closest that the Marlins/D'Backs get to selling is likely during interlague play.
It's all about money... absolutely. It always is, isn't it?
If you're going to do more interleague play, then get rid of the DH.
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