Why are there 6 teams in the NL central and 4 in the AL West, with every other division having 5? That makes no sense. It's a huge advantage for AL west teams to make the playoffs and a huge disadvantage to the NL central teams.

Why don't they move an NL team to the AL west? They should move the Diamondbacks or Rockies to the AL West. Neither team has been around that long (15 years at most) and doesn't have the established rivalries another team would. They could move Houston to the NL West after that.

Good call.

They should just put the Brewers back and kick Minny back out West.

I think they did it this way to avoid the long road trips that the unbalanced schedule creates.

But putting Arizona/Colorado in the AL West and moving Houston to the NL West wouldn't add any travel.

Houston would have California teams so there would be a little more travel there, but it's probably no farther than trips to Cincy, Chicago, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.

its so weird that you have this thread because i was just asked this to a friend the other day. i did some research...

the immidiate answer has to do with the rays wanting to be in the american league east, with NY and boston. there was some procedural stuff they did to finagle the system.

but overall, its actually better to have a 16-14 split rather than 15. that way every team can play at all times without interleague play. otherwise, with an even split, you would have to have 2 teams taking entire series off.

but overall, its actually better to have a 16-14 split rather than 15. that way every team can play at all times without interleague play. otherwise, with an even split, you would have to have 2 teams taking entire series off.

Wow, that seems so obvious now. Good call.

The real solution, as I've been saying for years, is contraction.

Let's face it, every club has at least two guys on the roster that don't belong in the big leagues.

Some of you have heard me talk about this so much you're likely to vomit, but I developed a massive plan a few years back that involves contracting back to 24 major league teams and installing a new level of minor leagues, AAAA. That gets more players in professional baseball for better development while dramatically improving the big league product. There is a great deal of give and take to satisfy unions, players, owners and fans, but I must say it's a very good idea.

It's 12 teams per league with 4 teams in a division. Rivalries get more intense, fans around the country get more chances to see star players, etc.

Meanwhile, the AAAA level is highly promoted as home of future stars. There are rules on when players can make it to AAAA, how long they can stay, when they must be called up, etc. It makes for a very marketable product, so much so that it has it's own TV deal. This better acquaints fans in that market, as well as fans of the major league affiliate, with the up and coming players.

The easiest answer for which teams get contracted is based on attendance. If your team is winning and people still aren't coming, sorry, you aren't a major league franchise. You may have great players/coaches in your organization, but you aren't a franchise. Example: any team in Florida.

Actually, the Rays have had decent attendance this year, so they may catch a break. However, looking at trend data, it's obvious that the Marlins, A's, Royals, and Pirates certainly don't have market support and will continue to struggle. Even the Rays, given historical data, will not have sufficient revenue to keep their young core together and will once again drop in competitiveness, which will in turn hurt their attendance.

The 6 teams that are contracted will all become AAAA teams. Some of the highest attendance minor league teams will be promoted to AAAA as well. Beyond that, research into additional markets, potential interest, facilities, etc will be done. I have a list of potential markets but I want to keep this post under 5,000 words.
Major league rosters will each expand by 2 (total of 48 players) to help offset the fact that 150 major leaguers will be "demoted". 40 man rosters will now be 45 man rosters.

All of this would improve the game tremendously. Many purists don't like the idea. Did they like the Braves moving from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta? How about expansion? How about bankrupcy? These are all things that occurred during the golden years of baseball and the product got stronger and popularity grew. Baseball is no longer the national pastime and with steroid scandal something needs to be done to bring it back. My plan (though it will never happen) is a part of the solution.

They have to have it 14/16 because if you had 15/15, one team from each league would have nobody to play during 3 game series.

That's why every time they've expanded the league, they add 2 teams (FLA & COL in 94, ARI & TB in 98, it's strictly an even number thing.

It's so two teams aren't sitting at home lighting their farts on fire for an entire series.

SWIDT?

I don't read shit

So does this have anything to do with keeping an even split, or am I just making things up?

its soley due to even spilt...there is no other reason

They have to have it 14/16 because if you had 15/15, one team from each league would have nobody to play during 3 game series.

That's why every time they've expanded the league, they add 2 teams (FLA & COL in 94, ARI & TB in 98, it's strictly an even number thing.


You seriously posted this one day after b diddy said the exact same thing

But is it because they want the leagues even? I'm so confused.

I think I'm starting to understand why Dusty Ryan hasn't been called up yet.

Inform us, Gl'enn. Does he have some secret plan to even out the leagues?

His mere presence makes them unequal.

Man, I was kind of hoping that I wasn't going to have to explain that one.

You didn't. I was just being an ass.

I needed an explanation.

So what if the MLB expands to 31 teams soon? Will the NL get that team?

I needed an explanation.

So what if the MLB expands to 31 teams soon? Will the NL get that team?

I don't think they'll ever add just one team.

It's either they add two markets (both in the AL), or cease two markets (both in the NL).

Personally, I don't see the MLB expanding or cutting franchises anytime soon. The 3 teams that lack revenue the most (Oakland, Florida, Minnesota) are all getting new stadiums within the next 5 years.

I don't think they'll ever add just one team.


why not?

Is it because they want to keep things even, like 16-14??

Hey guys, what's going on?

^Whoa Whoa Whoa.......... how did we get you?

Is it because they want to keep things even, like 16-14??
No, Zek. 16>14. It's simple math. 15 = 15. 16 does not = 14. So, in theory, 15 teams in both leagues would be ideal, right?

Actually, they need to have 16 teams in one league, and 14 teams in the other. Or else, two teams would sit a series with their thumbs up their asses. That is why there will always be an even number of teams in each league.

I can't believe this hasn't been brought up yet.

Guys, guys, Wil explained this all like 10 posts ago. Everyone needs to pay attention to the man, he knows what he's talking about!!

I just don't understand why we never read the old posts. We should work on that.

Dammit, will somebody please answer my question. Why are the divisions not even?


Also, I never thought of the odd number resulting in teams not playing, good call.