Realignment/Expansion

[Ducksnort]

I like the idea of expansion and realignment, and the referenced proposal is pretty good. I'm on the fence about the DH. I see the reasoning for the DH, but at the same time I think having the pitchers bat adds a managerial aspect which I think enhances the game. If push came to shove, though, I would probably agree to leave it the way it is with the DH in the AL only. One thing that I've not seen thrown out there is the idea of an EH vs. the DH. Have the pitchers hit (or attempt to...at least get in the box with a bat) and have a "DH" as well. So you'd have 10 hitters. I'm not sure that would work, but it would keep the DH and keep the spot in the lineup where the manager would have to be creative at times.

Well here's an idea that I haven't seen tossed around yet. I am not advocating for or against this, just an idea...

 

What if we got rid of the DH, but also didn't have the pitcher hit. 8 man lineup. For the whole league.

 

Now, many different dynamics play into this, obviously. Those "pure hitter" players would not really have a spot on the roster anymore, like, a David Ortiz or Edwin Encarnacion type, but how many of those players are there really anyway? And how many contribute to the success of the team ( this is a legitimate question,as I am being purely speculative).

 

Strategies of lineups would also change. Everyone would get more opportunities to hit throughout the game.

 

Again, not advocating for or against it, just an idea.

[Eminor3rd]

As long as the MLBPA exists, the DH will NEVER be removed. Doing so would take jobs away from existing members.

 

Regardless of how you feel about the DH, there's only one way for it to go: upward. More DH teams can be added, but none will ever go away.

[OmarComing25]

I'd rather just remove the pitching position from the hitting lineup entirely so only 8 players bat.

Yeah this would obviously never happen, and it would cause a big change to the record books because players would be getting so many more PA in a season, but I would absolutely be for this.

[harfman77]

I stole this ideas that I like from the comments:

 

AL East: BOS, BAL, TOR, NYY

AL North: CLE, CWS, MIN, DET

AL Midwest: COL, KCR, HOU, TEX

AL West: LAA, OAK, POR, SEA

 

NL East: MON, NYM, PHI, PIT

NL South: ATL, MIA, TBR, WAS

NL Midwest: CHC, CIN, MIL, STL

NL West: ARZ, LAD, SDP, SFG

 

12 games against each team within division = 36

6 games against each team in league outside of division = 72

3 games against each team in other league = 48

Total = 156

 

--------------------------------

 

Going league-less also makes it difficult to bracket the playoffs. Who meets in the World Series? There could be no more LCS's if there aren't leagues.

Shortening the season to 156 allow to add another round of playoffs.

 

Series 1 - NL Worst Division winner vs NL Best Wild Card in a 3 game series

Series 2 - NL 2nd Worst Division winner vs NL 2nd Wild Card in a 3 game series

Series 3 - NL - Best Record vs Series 1 Winner

Series 4 - NL - 2nd Division Champ vs Series 2 Winner

Series 5 - NLCS between series 3&4 winners

Repeat for AL

 

Two additional teams make the playoffs and you avoid really bad division winners from making the LDS when there may be much better wildcard teams.

[harfman77]

Its amazing we are talking about expansion when were so recently discussing the retraction of the Twins and Rays.

[Jose Abreu]

What's with the fascination of moving Colorado to the AL? It seems to be a common trend in these proposals. Is it because of Coors Field and the DH? Because in this realignment, the DH would probably be universal anyway.

[LittleHurt05]

As long as the MLBPA exists, the DH will NEVER be removed. Doing so would take jobs away from existing members.

 

Regardless of how you feel about the DH, there's only one way for it to go: upward. More DH teams can be added, but none will ever go away.

 

I was gonna post the same thing, but I had a differing thought. DH or no DH, the roster is 25 players. While removing the DH would cost certain sluggers their jobs, doesn't the existence of the DH take away a job from either an extra reliever or light-hitting defensive specialist? The same amount of jobs would be there, it would just take away a job from one type of player and hand it to a different type of player. Obviously the PA won't see it that way, but it didn't seem that cut and dry when I thought about it longer.

[Bob Sacamano]

I was gonna post the same thing, but I had a differing thought. DH or no DH, the roster is 25 players. While removing the DH would cost certain sluggers their jobs, doesn't the existence of the DH take away a job from either an extra reliever or light-hitting defensive specialist? The same amount of jobs would be there, it would just take away a job from one type of player and hand it to a different type of player. Obviously the PA won't see it that way, but it didn't seem that cut and dry when I thought about it longer.

 

It would be another higher-priced starting player in the lineup though as opposed to a 5th outfielder or extra infielder.

[harfman77]

What's with the fascination of moving Colorado to the AL? It seems to be a common trend in these proposals. Is it because of Coors Field and the DH? Because in this realignment, the DH would probably be universal anyway.

 

Geography. Any expansion on the west coast likely moves Colorado to a division with midwest teams. It comes down to either the Brewers or the Rockies changing leagues, and the Brewers fought like hell to get out of the AL 20 years ago, and the Rockies would naturally align with the Royals as their states share a border.

[harfman77]

It would be another higher-priced starting player in the lineup though as opposed to a 5th outfielder or extra infielder.

 

That's debatable, you could say one more higher priced position player instead of a higher priced SP/RP. If teams free up money at one position they are going to spend it elsewhere to try and compete.

[Bob Sacamano]

That's debatable, you could say one more higher priced position player instead of a higher priced SP/RP. If teams free up money at one position they are going to spend it elsewhere to try and compete.

 

That's true, but whichever player you are signing can likely sign with a lot of teams for a high price regardless. In the AL, there are 10 starting players in the lineup giving more opportunities for regular playing time (higher earnings through arbitration as well especially if they have good numbers) as opposed to 9.

 

Edit: not sure if I explained this correctly, but it made sense when I was thinking about it lol

Edited October 19, 2017 by soxfan2014

[Jose Abreu]

Geography. Any expansion on the west coast likely moves Colorado to a division with midwest teams. It comes down to either the Brewers or the Rockies changing leagues, and the Brewers fought like hell to get out of the AL 20 years ago, and the Rockies would naturally align with the Royals as their states share a border.

Makes sense. Thanks

[BamaDoc]

Add two more teams equals about 24 more pitchers needed than currently not counting injury replacements etc. Yikes!

[Eminor3rd]

I was gonna post the same thing, but I had a differing thought. DH or no DH, the roster is 25 players. While removing the DH would cost certain sluggers their jobs, doesn't the existence of the DH take away a job from either an extra reliever or light-hitting defensive specialist? The same amount of jobs would be there, it would just take away a job from one type of player and hand it to a different type of player. Obviously the PA won't see it that way, but it didn't seem that cut and dry when I thought about it longer.

 

Because those players whose jobs would be lost would push back, and the union would have nothing to say to them. The union's job is literally to represent the players' interests, and this would go against them directly, even if it doesn't affect them all equally. In addition to allowing a class of player to exist where it wouldn't normally (the DH-only guy), it allows other position players to extend their careers and earnings by playing longer. Guys like Carlos Beltran or Matt Holliday literally wouldn't have received contracts offers without the DH

 

DH: Why are you eliminating my job?

MLBPA: Well the same amount of jobs exist in total, so yeah I mean, your job sure, but there are still jobs

DH: So there aren't even more jobs total as a result?

MLBPA: Well no

DH: Then what have you gained for us in exchange for eliminating my job?

MLBPA: Well. Nothing

Edited October 19, 2017 by Eminor3rd

[bmags]

Okay so make it 26 roster spots.

[jenksycat]

Okay so make it 26 roster spots.

 

It's dumb this isn't a thing already. Bigger roster = better product on the field.

[flavum]

It's dumb this isn't a thing already. Bigger roster = better product on the field.

 

I'm not sure 24, 25, or 26 makes the product better or worse...but here's what they could do...

 

Get creative when it comes to service time and using your own 40-man roster throughout the season, and submit a daily 22-man roster. The term "September Callup" needs to go away forever. The product needs to be consistent from Day 1 to Day 186.

[jenksycat]

I'm not sure 24, 25, or 26 makes the product better or worse...but here's what they could do...

 

Get creative when it comes to service time and using your own 40-man roster throughout the season, and submit a daily 22-man roster. The term "September Callup" needs to go away forever. The product needs to be consistent from Day 1 to Day 186.

 

I just think bigger roster = ability to keep 1 dimensional players on the team or better bullpens.

[BlackSox13]

I stole this ideas that I like from the comments:

 

AL East: BOS, BAL, TOR, NYY

AL North: CLE, CWS, MIN, DET

AL Midwest: COL, KCR, HOU, TEX

AL West: LAA, OAK, POR, SEA

 

NL East: MON, NYM, PHI, PIT

NL South: ATL, MIA, TBR, WAS

NL Midwest: CHC, CIN, MIL, STL

NL West: ARZ, LAD, SDP, SFG

 

12 games against each team within division = 36

6 games against each team in league outside of division = 72

3 games against each team in other league = 48

Total = 156

I really like this idea alot and makes much more sense if the MLB does expand.

[flavum]

I really like this idea a lot and makes much more sense if the MLB does expand.

 

8 divisions of 4 teams wouldn't work in baseball, and they know that.

 

The format above would result in division winners with losing records.

[BlackSox13]

8 divisions of 4 teams wouldn't work in baseball, and they know that.

 

The format above would result in division winners with losing records.

The only division that could happen in is the NLE but the Mets dealt with alot of injuries this year and the Pirates would benefit by not playing the Cubs and Cards 19 times each per year. Both teams would have better records. Take the Astros out of the NLW this year and the angels would have been a .500 team and maybe even Seattle. The rest of the divisions in the proposed format would be fine.

[flavum]

The only division that could happen in is the NLE but the Mets dealt with alot of injuries this year and the Pirates would benefit by not playing the Cubs and Cards 19 times each per year. Both teams would have better records. Take the Astros out of the NLW this year and the angels would have been a .500 team and maybe even Seattle. The rest of the divisions in the proposed format would be fine.

 

If they did 4 team divisions, they’d have to play 27+ games each against division opponent to avoid division winners getting in under .500. I can’t be more clear about this- eight divisions of four teams wouldn’t work in baseball. They aren’t playing that many games against division opponents and they aren’t risking division winners under .500.

[Jose Abreu]

If they did 4 team divisions, they’d have to play 27+ games each against division opponent to avoid division winners getting in under .500. I can’t be more clear about this- eight divisions of four teams wouldn’t work in baseball. They aren’t playing that many games against division opponents and they aren’t risking division winners under .500.

Well put. I remember the 7-9 Seahawks made the playoffs a few years ago. Baseball can't turn into that.

[BlackSox13]

If they did 4 team divisions, they’d have to play 27+ games each against division opponent to avoid division winners getting in under .500. I can’t be more clear about this- eight divisions of four teams wouldn’t work in baseball. They aren’t playing that many games against division opponents and they aren’t risking division winners under .500.

Maybe there's something in missing but I don't see where you're getting 27 games from because that's not what the post proposes.

[Jack Parkman]

I'm all for keep the Leagues, eliminate the divisions, get rid of the stupid Wild Card game, and top 4 records in each league in a balanced schedule get in to Playoffs.

Edited October 20, 2017 by Jack Parkman