MLB discussing realignment.

[DesotoCountyDawg]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6651634

I think it needs to happen. I know it was done for scheduling purposes but having 6 teams in the NL Central and 4 in the AL West is goofy.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Have 8 teams in each league go to a playoff bracket (best of 7 in each round). Then play best of 7 world series.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Dumbest thing ever to have half (or 46% or whatever dumbassery) of your teams playing with different rules than the other half. Just give both DHs, even out to have even league/division numbers and be done with it.

 

[MSUArrowCS]

Having over half the league in the playoffs will water down that first round of competition, but it generates more revenue and can keep twice as many markets of fans interested for a week, I guess.

Does Milwaukee go back to the AL?

 

[MSUArrowCS]

there's so much more managing that goes on in the NL. A lot of NL teams have built their rosters around things like "super utility" guys instead of guys with busted knees that can't hit curveballs. Also, there's the whole thing that some pitchers just love to hit (see Greinke's decision to sign with the Brewers this past year).

I agree that it's dumb having two sets of rules, but I would hate to see that element of the game gone entirely. The current setup gives players some options and has been working for a while. Plus, I'm pretty sure if there were much momentum to add the DH to the NL it would have already happened by now.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

The only "strategy" element that the AL doesn't have is the double switch. However, pitching strategy is better in the AL, because there's no slot in the lineup that's an easy out. AL pitching staffs have to be even more ready to pitch to every hitter in the lineup, including a typical DH - a guy who may not be fast, but can really jack one.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Just use the rules of the home team just like interleague play. It allows each league to keep some form of identity. As an NL guy I don't want DH's but its fun to see every once in a while an NL team DH in interleague.

 

[MacGyver51]

The realignment needs to address the money pit of the Minor leagues. I read an article that each teams spends roughly $20 million a year on player development AKA minor leagues. I think they should reduce the minors to just one level. Baseball has a over saturation problem. It needs to consolidate.

 

[MSUArrowCS]

But there are definitely different strategies in the two leagues. Some fans are going to prefer the NL and some the AL. And to say it's just about the double switch in the NL is naive.

Obviously replacing a DH with a pitcher means there's less power and a spot in the lineup that's a glaring weakness on every team. You have to figure out how to score with less power and overcome that weakness in the 9 hole. Sure, plenty of AL teams deal with that too if they choose to insert a middle infielder that bats .200, but NL teams *have* to do it and that option to have an offensive liability who's great on defense depletes your offense even more.

NL teams also have to remove pitchers earlier due to having chances offensively, which changes the way the entire roster is built. You need decent pinch hitters that can stay in the game if a double switch is needed. It's not just an in-game decision.