what if...........

One of the hotter topics on sports talk radio this week (besides Kobe/Shack) has been the possibilty of Randy Johnson going to the NY Yankees. Some say that it would be too much, that the Yankees would in escence be trying to purchase a title (nothing new), that ANY team should compete with the roster of players that they began the season with (i'll agree w/that) and others argue that they are only working inside the parameters of MLB (true). My question is this; When will MLB adopt some sort of salary caps AND trade deadline plan that will make it more competitive across the board?

I'm well aware that the Marlins won the World Series last year. That being said, I think that it is high time that MLB adopt new policies that would even up the game for most, if not all, franchises, regardless of World Series outcomes. Just look at the NFL for example. Their policies invite parity, interest and good competition for all teams and their fans. Sure you have your poorly managed franchises but a fair playing field is provided for all. Baseball needs to get off their high horse and do the right thing.

That is all.

 

first, they do have a trade deadline of july 31. of course, for the whole month of august they can place guys on waivers, and still work some deals. just a little more difficult. i guess if we were to set a real "deadline" it would be aug 31. any players added to a roster after aug 31 are not eligible for post-season play.

second, i hate steinbrenner. he is the anti-christ and should be buried alive underneath a huge fireant mound.

third, i think if johnson goes anywhere, it will be boston. word is schilling is putting in good words for the sox. mark grace, now a dback tv commentator seems to think he is staying put in arizona. sure would like to see him in fenway.

unfortunately, until donald fehr is gone from the players union, i don't think a salary cap is in sight. i would love to see it, but fehr is a true jackass. he's not the only one holding it up of course, but he is one of the biggest obstacles.

 

Atleast you can say things are getting better in baseball. I mean this year teams like the Brewers, Tigers, even the Devil Rays are competing well against the higher market teams.

 

i'm one of the biggest supporters of having a salary cap in baseball. however, like X just stated, and with the world series having turned out the way it has the last 3 years, you still cannot buy team chemistry and cohesion. hence, the only reason the yankees haven't won the series for 20 straight years. so, its not all about the money.

ps......steinbrenner is still the spawn of satan.

 

First thing first:

1. 
   A salary cap for MLB. But in addition you better have a minimun salary cap as well. There are plenty of owners that merely take the revenue given to them by MLB and don't reinvest it. KCs owner comes to mind.

• 
  Shrink the league. Teams I would get rid of. Montreal, and Tampa Bay. Too many AAA pitchers in the major leagues.

• 
  Set forth a definate drug policy and inforce the hell out of it. If you can't do it in the real world (non professional sports) then you can't in MLB as well. Steroids are killing professional sports

• 
  Make weekend playoff games start in the afternoon. The advertisers can still be charged the higher advertising rate.

• 
  Get rid of the DH. I don't want to see old farts hanging on by playing in the AL and I want to see punk ass AL pitchers have to step into the box after they plunk a batter. Maybe Pedro and Clemens would like to feel what it's like to see a 90+mph pitch come at their temple. Havn't seen Clemens come up and in as much now that the shoe is on the other foot.

 

I can pretty much agree with all those ideas except for getting rid of the DH.

I'm still one of they few people who like the DH rule. I understand it takes away a bit from the strategy of the game but I personally would rather see the extra capable batter than some pitcher who for the most part will give up an out. Plus it also makes the two leagues different which I think adds even more to the World Series as far as matchups and things go.

 

i too agree with all the but the dh idea and contraction.

#1. you hit the nail on the head with some sort of a minimum being set. however, on the other hand, to a point, i understand their reasoning. if you're not making the money by drawing a crowd, you're not gonna want to go in the red to support a minimum salary cap. they go hand in hand however. if you're paying to keep better players, you're gonna win more games, which will result in more fans. there has to be a medium somewhere in there that you can make work.

#2. tampa has proved that if you can get solid young guys work in the majors, they can learn to play the game at the big league level. i don't like the idea of contraction. i would like to see a small realignment that makes it 15 in each league. 16 in the NL and 14 in the AL is stupid and not fair to the teams in the NL central, and too easy on teams in the AL west.

#3. ditto

#4. for the most part, ditto. i would still like to see yanks-red sox games and other huge matchups in primetime.

#5. i agree and disagree here. it does suck to see the old guys hanging on those last few years when they are all but washed up. however, like X says, it adds that little something different that is needed. it seperates the 2 leagues. personally, i like to see the pitchers hit and that puts a premium on managing. double switches are a thing of beauty. but, i wouldn't vote to get rid of the dh for the reasons i mentioned a few sentences back.

 

I would look at attendance in the last 10 years and then drop the bottom 4 teams based on those average numbers. No one goes to Montreal and Tampa games. They can bitch all they want but why didn't they go and support their team.

 

tampa is drawing much much better this year. at least, there are lots more people in the stands anyways. you win, the fans come out.

 

I hear the Angels are in the lead for Johnson, FWIW. They need the arm, and RJ wants to stay out west.


>>A salary cap for MLB. But in addition you better have a minimun salary cap as well. There are plenty of owners that merely take the revenue given to them by MLB and don't reinvest it. KCs owner comes to mind. [/list]

Agreed. It works in most sports. Players union won't go for it, even with the minimum.

The new economics does seem to level things out a bit. you see more competiveness in Detroit and other teams that have spent money in their farm system. The Yankees will still be the big bad dogs since George will pay any kind of tax no matter what. That does give you a team to hate.



>>

• 
  Shrink the league. Teams I would get rid of. Montreal, and Tampa Bay. Too many AAA pitchers in the major leagues.

No need. Seen the attendance figures? And Tampa is actually decent. Give them a good product, and they will go. Just move Montreal to Northern Virginia and be done with it.

• 
  Set forth a definate drug policy and inforce the hell out of it. If you can't do it in the real world (non professional sports) then you can't in MLB as well. Steroids are killing professional sports

I'd agree on steriods, except I don't think a lot of fans care. Chicks dig the long ball.

I do care, and the 5 to 10 percent of players on it are hurting the others.

I'd gladly trade recreational drug testing for sport enhancing drug testing.

• 
  Make weekend playoff games start in the afternoon. The advertisers can still be charged the higher advertising rate.

Baseball and beer in the afternoon.

• 
  Get rid of the DH. I don't want to see old farts hanging on by playing in the AL and I want to see punk ass AL pitchers have to step into the box after they plunk a batter. Maybe Pedro and Clemens would like to feel what it's like to see a 90+mph pitch come at their temple. Havn't seen Clemens come up and in as much now that the shoe is on the other foot.

[/QUOTE]

Agree on the DH, it takes strategy out of the game. No one is ever going to plunk Clemons. Just like no one ever plunked Bob Gibson. Ever.

Pitchers have the right to a part of the plate. Batters these days act like they own it the way they crowd. You can't pitch like that. Clemons is still successful because he pitches inside and if you aren't respectful, you'll get beamed. And no one will throw at him. That pitcher has to face him.