If Baseball Ain’t Broke…

After viewing the NBA labor negotiations (or lack of them) recently, it is a reminder that for the moment, baseball has labor peace. 

In fact, the two sides have been getting together to extend the current agreement very quietly, and reports have it that the new contract will be ratified during the winter meetings next month.

The rumors have it that has part of the new deal, the Houston Astros will move to the American League, giving the sport two 15 team leagues.

This will mean interleague baseball will be a part of your daily schedule starting in 2013, and that each club will play around 30 games against the other league.

In addition, the sport will add an extra wild card team, allowing for 10 participants in the post-season (1/3 of the teams), instead of the current eight.

The question here is…why?  Is any baseball fan clamoring for these changes?

The answer is no.  The national pastime is still drawing fans, and the real fans of the sport do not want more interleague games or more teams in the playoffs.

First, on moving the Astros to the AL.  The 30 interleague games dilute the pennant races since the additional 12 contests vs. the other league will come at the expense of other teams in your league. 

That means it is more likely than ever that a division title could be decided based on how you do against ball clubs in the other league.  That’s absurd.

As far as adding an extra team to the playoffs, the reason being given is it will allow smaller market teams a shot at getting to the playoffs. 

Is that worth diluting the championship? 

The thing about baseball is the best four teams in each league are proven through a 162 regular season schedule.  At any point in time, the worst team in the majors can win two of three against the best team.

Adding an extra team to the mix means that possibly the fifth best team in a league could emerge as World Champions. 

Critics would say the Cardinals won in 2006 with a record just slightly better than .500 (83-78), but they won their division.  And really, how many times have the World Series champs won less than 90 games recently?

Since 1960, the answer is two:  The Yankees in 2000 (87-74) and the Twins in 1987 (85-77). 

Adding another team to the mix adds to the possibility of that happening. 

If the powers that be really want to give smaller markets a better chance to make the playoffs, then fix the salary disparity between the larger markets and the smaller ones.

The Yankees, Red Sox, and now the Phillies have a tremendous advantage to advance every year because of how much they spend.  Does it guarantee success?  No, look at teams like the Mets.

However, it does give them a good leg up on the competition.  The Bronx Bombers have missed the playoffs just once since 1995, and the Red Sox have won at least 86 games every season over the last ten years.

Name any other teams that can make those claims. 

Baseball is trying to level the playing field.  It’s well-known that Indians have lost their share of great players to free agency:  Thome, Ramirez, Sabathia, Lee.

However, isn’t it a shame that the Brewers probably can’t afford to keep 1B Prince Fielder?  It’s difficult for the mid market clubs to keep their great players.

That’s what baseball needs to address, not interleague play and more playoff teams.

That’s like putting make up on a scar.

KM