MLB Realignment Speculation - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

JBR · 06-06-2006, 01:00 PM

This link to Sportsnet suggests that it would be good for MLB if both Florida based teams moved. It has the Marlins moving to San Antonio and The D-Rays to Las Vegas. It would result in the Tigers moving back to the AL East where they belong. Do you think this would be a good move for baseball? Let's also speculate, what should they call the teams?

My Picks.

San Antonio Outlaws.
Las Vegas Bandits.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/col...05_123808_5100

CaramonLS · 06-06-2006, 02:45 PM

I honestly don't know how you could really be a Marlins fan or a D-Ray fan.

The Marlins with the systematic destruction of their team, not even attempting to win with the product they put on the field. There is a HUGE difference between going into "rebuilding mode" and then completely mailing it in. They are doing the latter.

The D-Rays... Poor drafting hasn't let them develop a bonified major league starting pitcher save for Victor Zambrano, who is a 3rd/4th starter at best. That is it in their entire Franchise history. Their Ace Kazmir is coming into his own, but he spent his time in the Mets farm system, and their current starting staff is mostly comprised of discards or other failed prospects.

I mean it really is amazing that your organization can be that terrible with regards to developing any sort of pitching.

They've developed some hitting talent, but this team is still a long ways away from making any sort of noise in the division. Nor with their payroll can they even afford to keep talent.

Either way, in their current states it would be extremely hard for fans to cheer for these teams. Maybe in other 10 years when they get some proper ownership they can consider re-expansion into Florida, but I'd have to agree moving would be the best darn thing for these franchises.

troutman · 06-06-2006, 02:56 PM

There are only 4 teams in the AL west and 6 teams in the NL central. All the other divisions have 5 teams.

I suggest they move HOU to the AL west. Then you will have 5 teams in every division and HOU will have a natural rivalry with TEX. Less divisional games and more inter-league games would be better too.

CaramonLS · 06-06-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

There are only 4 teams in the AL west and 6 teams in the NL central. All the other divisions have 5 teams.

I suggest they move HOU to the AL west. Then you will have 5 teams in every division and HOU will have a natural rivalry with TEX. Less divisional games and more inter-league games would be better too.

They want an even # of teams in each league (not even as in 15/15, but an even #) so it is possible that every team can be playing at exactly the same time.

JiriHrdina · 06-06-2006, 03:05 PM

Well from a selfish Blue Jay fan perspective adding an improving Tigers team makes the division even tougher.

Can't we have the Royals instead?

ken0042 · 06-06-2006, 03:18 PM

** Non-baseball fan question **

Weren't the Marlins in the World Series just a few years ago? Is there that much parity (sp?) in the league that a team can be on top one year and then suck the next?

JBR · 06-06-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I honestly don't know how you could really be a Marlins fan or a D-Ray fan.

Are you saying "you" as in rhetorical.. or "you" being a fan as in "ME" being a fan of these teams.... as I am definately not. This is why I support the move. I am a NYY, and Blue Jay fan. SF in the NL

habernac · 06-06-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

** Non-baseball fan question **

Weren't the Marlins in the World Series just a few years ago? Is there that much parity (sp?) in the league that a team can be on top one year and then suck the next?

not so much parity there as it was a cheap-skate owner who sold off all the good parts of the team after the win.

octothorp · 06-06-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

** Non-baseball fan question **

Weren't the Marlins in the World Series just a few years ago? Is there that much parity (sp?) in the league that a team can be on top one year and then suck the next?

That was basically a complete accident. They have, in my opinion, the worst owner in baseball, Loria, who is committed to spending the absolute minimum so that he can capitalize on the revenue sharing system within the league. The Marlins payroll is 14 million, total. I think the MLB needs to take a really serious look at having a salary floor next time their CBA is up for renewal.

CaramonLS · 06-06-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBR

Are you saying "you" as in rhetorical.. or "you" being a fan as in "ME" being a fan of these teams.... as I am definately not. This is why I support the move. I am a NYY, and Blue Jay fan. SF in the NL

You rhetorical.

Sorry, should have made it clearer and said "somebody/someone".

habernac · 06-06-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octothorp

That was basically a complete accident. They have, in my opinion, the worst owner in baseball, Loria, who is committed to spending the absolute minimum so that he can capitalize on the revenue sharing system within the league. The Marlins payroll is 14 million, total. I think the MLB needs to take a really serious look at having a salary floor next time their CBA is up for renewal.

he needs to be publicly flogged. It's like he watched Major League and decided to see if it would actually work (spending little or nothing on players so he could move the team)

CaramonLS · 06-06-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

** Non-baseball fan question **

Weren't the Marlins in the World Series just a few years ago? Is there that much parity (sp?) in the league that a team can be on top one year and then suck the next?

Baseball probably has the least amount of parity of any sport right now, pretty much you go as far as you spend.

Buff · 06-06-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

he needs to be publicly flogged. It's like he watched Major League and decided to see if it would actually work (spending little or nothing on players so he could move the team)

Either that or he was hoping to win the World Series with a bunch of has beens that never were.

Antithesis · 06-06-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octothorp

That was basically a complete accident. They have, in my opinion, the worst owner in baseball, Loria, who is committed to spending the absolute minimum so that he can capitalize on the revenue sharing system within the league. The Marlins payroll is 14 million, total. I think the MLB needs to take a really serious look at having a salary floor next time their CBA is up for renewal.

The Marlins' payroll wasn't that low the last time they won. They went on the fire sale to end all fire sales (it may rank second only to the one they did after winning in '97) this off-season.

I think, with the small number of teams that make the playoffs, that its virtually impossible to get in by accident. They had success using a different model than the Yankees because they couldn't afford that model.

IMO The big fire sale happened this time around because Loria saw that no new stadium was forthcoming in Miami so he was not willing to absorb catastrophic losses in the short term to I guess ... invest in gains later.

I read a while back that the Marlins couldn't possibly break even (let alone turn a profit) with their current lease; not even if they sold out every single game they could possibly play at home ... 81 regular season, 11 playoff. Revnue sharing wasn't factored in to this ... but I believe this was at a time when the Marlins did have a decent payroll (I think maybe even when they last won the World Series).

Bobblehead · 06-07-2006, 10:53 AM

Well, IMHO I think the Marlins ownership builds a winner then when they do win it all, the dump any player who may ask for a raise. They then milk the profits from having the "World Championship", and build again. They don't even attempt to keep any franchise players around. Loria is a worm.