Expansion: How many teams is enough?

Raleigh504 · 05-09-2023, 02:10 PM

With the talks even more about expansion since the A's are going to Vegas and Rays getting closer to finding a home. The next step is adding 2 more teams to the MLB. A lot of cities are being thrown around, but what is the perfect amount of MLB teams?

LittleJimmies · 05-09-2023, 02:39 PM

What exactly is "clean" about 32 teams for divisions/playoffs? 4 x 4 team divisions in each league with only the winners advancing to the playoffs?

JRX · 05-09-2023, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

What exactly is "clean" about 32 teams for divisions/playoffs? 4 x 4 team divisions in each league with only the winners advancing to the playoffs?

Gets you to 16 in each league. While they won't get rid of interleague it makes scheduling easier.

cjraleigh · 05-09-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

What exactly is "clean" about 32 teams for divisions/playoffs? 4 x 4 team divisions in each league with only the winners advancing to the playoffs?

If I can speak for my fellow Raleigh handleite, I think he's also referring to the versatility of 32 (divisible by 2,4,8,16). The NFL and NHL each have 32, but with very different structures/playoff formats. MLB could adopt either of those or build upon their current format (division winners + 4 wild cards in each league). Plenty of possibilities.

Two 8 team divisions in each league would be cool. Top 4 in each division make the playoffs!

WizardofOz1982 · 05-09-2023, 02:50 PM

Leave it alone until at least 25 of the 30 team owners are trying to compete every year.

SupermanBrandon · 05-09-2023, 02:50 PM

32. Nashville gets a team.

Raleigh504 · 05-09-2023, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

If I can speak for my fellow Raleigh handleite, I think he's also referring to the versatility of 32 (divisible by 2,4,8,16). The NFL and NHL each have 32, but with very different structures/playoff formats. MLB could adopt either of those or build upon their current format (division winners + 4 wild cards in each league). Plenty of possibilities.

Two 8 team divisions in each league would be cool. Top 4 in each division make the playoffs!

Thank you! Exactly what I mean. More options with divisions/games/playoffs/etc.

Drew3000 · 05-09-2023, 03:30 PM

Keep the 16 franchises that are 100+ years old and axe everyone else

ewokpelts · 05-09-2023, 03:32 PM

I’m down for 32-34.

awz50 · 05-09-2023, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

With the talks even more about expansion since the A's are going to Vegas and Rays getting closer to finding a home. The next step is adding 2 more teams to the MLB. A lot of cities are being thrown around, but what is the perfect amount of MLB teams?

New home or new stadium?

I think new stadium I cannot see them moving soon anymore

awz50 · 05-09-2023, 03:32 PM

To answer your question 32 is fine with me. Maybe even 34

Skipscards · 05-09-2023, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew3000

Keep the 16 franchises that are 100+ years old and axe everyone else

awz50 · 05-09-2023, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew3000

Keep the 16 franchises that are 100+ years old and axe everyone else

asujbl · 05-09-2023, 04:08 PM

All 4 major sports should be 32 so we all know how many there are

txrngr34 · 05-09-2023, 04:40 PM

I'd be good with 32 if they go to a promotion/relegation model or something else to restore competitive balance. Otherwise, you're just diluting the pool of good talent even further.

Force all teams to actually compete. If they're purposefully tanking or otherwise tight with money, or can't draw crowds, kick them down and bring up a team that does. I get it - off years happen, so make it reasonable, maybe over a rolling 3 years you need to at least field a .520 team once?

Plenty of small market teams compete, or can/have. Hell, the damn Cardinals have the second-most championships.

I like what the Rays have mostly done since they're expansion. Even though they can't draw crowds, they still find a way to compete. How does revenue sharing help with that, I don't know, but within the current system they make it work. Others should.

Raleigh504 · 05-09-2023, 07:21 PM

The issue with spending is the current average value of MLB teams are $2.07 billion

The link below shows the last sale prices and for how much (not sure how old/recent it is). A lot of owners have had teams for a long time and their entire net worth is tied to the team. So spending $150M on a player when they bought the team for $100M is pretty crazy if you think about it. Since there is no revenue sharing like other leagues, pretty much all the teams need to be sold to a true billionaire to hopefully be willing to spend.

http://www.afootinthebox.com/peter/e...nd-value-today

txrngr34 · 05-09-2023, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

The issue with spending is the current average value of MLB teams are $2.07 billion

The link below shows the last sale prices and for how much (not sure how old/recent it is). A lot of owners have had teams for a long time and their entire net worth is tied to the team. So spending $150M on a player when they bought the team for $100M is pretty crazy if you think about it. Since there is no revenue sharing like other leagues, pretty much all the teams need to be sold to a true billionaire to hopefully be willing to spend.

http://www.afootinthebox.com/peter/e...nd-value-today

Perhaps I missed some big news?

Revenue sharing has been part of MLB for at least a decade or two, I thought.

jplarson · 05-09-2023, 07:38 PM

Contract the A's and bring back the Expos.

MoreToppsPlease · 05-09-2023, 07:42 PM

Add a few teams in East Asia and one in Mexico City. If expansion can’t occur in new areas don’t bother doing it.

djdevon · 05-09-2023, 08:00 PM

There needs to be less teams in actuality if they wish to create or retain a greater product. The talent is so diluted, especially in the pitching game. The playoffs are already a joke. Back in my day, there were 4 divisions and the 4 winners played until there was 1. I didn't hear anyone complaining.

*hikes up pants to a respectable 'under the nipples' length

hairysasquatch · 05-09-2023, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplarson

Contract the A's and bring back the Expos.

No. Any city that can't sustain a franchise once never sniffs one again.

Drew3000 · 05-10-2023, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdevon

There needs to be less teams in actuality if they wish to create or retain a greater product. The talent is so diluted, especially in the pitching game. The playoffs are already a joke. Back in my day, there were 4 divisions and the 4 winners played until there was 1. I didn't hear anyone complaining.

*hikes up pants to a respectable 'under the nipples' length

This is the answer. I think 24 teams would be plenty

Brewers, Rays, Mariners, Rangers, Rockies, Padres should be cut

Never won a World Series? You’re gone

TooManyCards76 · 05-10-2023, 06:17 AM

I’m all for 2 expansions teams in North America… but I’m also all for 8-16 expansion teams in Asia/Pacific (Korea/Japan)… I’d love another division in Central/South America/Caribbean, but security would be a nightmare, if relations with Cuba ever get to a reasonable point I’d love to see Cuba get 1-2 MLB teams.

Raleigh504 · 05-10-2023, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txrngr34

Perhaps I missed some big news?

Revenue sharing has been part of MLB for at least a decade or two, I thought.

Yes and no. They share 48% of the local tv deal which gets to $110M per team a year (not bad). Some teams have ownership in the network which adds even more revenue, but teams in bigger markets or who negotiated better deals receive much more while teams like Cleveland is $40M a year (so estimate $130M in total from the rev share and their own stake) compared to Boston who's estimate is closer to $200M without the revenue share so you can see where it does help smaller markets but not to the effect of say the NFL who (I believe) split it all equally for TV deals. (Below is what I found)

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-upd...for-mlb-teams/

Raleigh504 · 05-10-2023, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooManyCards76

I’m all for 2 expansions teams in North America… but I’m also all for 8-16 expansion teams in Asia/Pacific (Korea/Japan)… I’d love another division in Central/South America/Caribbean, but security would be a nightmare, if relations with Cuba ever get to a reasonable point I’d love to see Cuba get 1-2 MLB teams.

I agree, it would be awesome to have a division or two outside of North America. Asia/Pacific makes the most sense and could even use Hawaii in the Asia league as a hopper team so say the Yankees go play the Angels then fly to Hawaii for a 4 game series then have 12 road games vs Asia teams then two days off to come back and play in New York. Air travel is only going to get better/faster.

View Poll Results: What is the perfect MLB size
24 (contract a few teams)	12	6.28%
28 (go back from last expansion)	9	4.71%
30 (keep it as is)	43	22.51%
32 (get it to where it is clean for divisions/playoffs)	99	51.83%
34 or 36 (really not a huge difference between the two)	9	4.71%
40 (Can't get enough of it/want a team near me)	12	6.28%
Other: Add it in the comments	7	3.66%
Voters: 191. You may not vote on this poll

05-09-2023, 02:10 PM	#1
Raleigh504 Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NC Posts: 2,656 ig_bljhsports	Expansion: How many teams is enough? With the talks even more about expansion since the A's are going to Vegas and Rays getting closer to finding a home. The next step is adding 2 more teams to the MLB. A lot of cities are being thrown around, but what is the perfect amount of MLB teams? __________________ https://myslabs.to/brasm_sports5 https://www.ebay.com/str/jrbuddysportsandmore

05-09-2023, 02:39 PM	#2
LittleJimmies Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,532	What exactly is "clean" about 32 teams for divisions/playoffs? 4 x 4 team divisions in each league with only the winners advancing to the playoffs? Last edited by LittleJimmies; 05-09-2023 at 02:42 PM.

05-09-2023, 02:50 PM	#5
WizardofOz1982 Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 1,342 wizardofoz82 WizardOfOz1982	Leave it alone until at least 25 of the 30 team owners are trying to compete every year. __________________ I PC Jeff Frye, Ozzie Smith, and Ryan Helsley. https://jefffryecollection.com - My collection website with galleries and want lists

05-09-2023, 03:30 PM	#8
Drew3000 Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Kentucky Posts: 862	Keep the 16 franchises that are 100+ years old and axe everyone else __________________ Looking for: 2010 Joey Votto Topps Black /59

05-09-2023, 02:50 PM	#6
SupermanBrandon Banned Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: TN Posts: 15,843	32. Nashville gets a team.

05-09-2023, 03:32 PM	#9
ewokpelts Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Evergreen Park, IL Posts: 3,993 asg2003ws2005	I’m down for 32-34.

05-09-2023, 03:32 PM	#11
awz50 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: New Hampshire>>>Arizona>>>>Florida Posts: 33,181 awz50	To answer your question 32 is fine with me. Maybe even 34 __________________ Collecting Baseball Hof Autographs 248/351 Blowouts Official Red Sox face of the franchise Eduardo Rodriguez Super Collector

05-09-2023, 04:08 PM	#14
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 62,393 ohiosundevils	All 4 major sports should be 32 so we all know how many there are __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

05-09-2023, 04:40 PM	#15
txrngr34 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,194 txrngr34	I'd be good with 32 if they go to a promotion/relegation model or something else to restore competitive balance. Otherwise, you're just diluting the pool of good talent even further. Force all teams to actually compete. If they're purposefully tanking or otherwise tight with money, or can't draw crowds, kick them down and bring up a team that does. I get it - off years happen, so make it reasonable, maybe over a rolling 3 years you need to at least field a .520 team once? Plenty of small market teams compete, or can/have. Hell, the damn Cardinals have the second-most championships. I like what the Rays have mostly done since they're expansion. Even though they can't draw crowds, they still find a way to compete. How does revenue sharing help with that, I don't know, but within the current system they make it work. Others should. __________________ Any offers I make are only good for 24 hours unless otherwise stated.

05-09-2023, 07:21 PM	#16
Raleigh504 Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NC Posts: 2,656 ig_bljhsports	The issue with spending is the current average value of MLB teams are $2.07 billion The link below shows the last sale prices and for how much (not sure how old/recent it is). A lot of owners have had teams for a long time and their entire net worth is tied to the team. So spending $150M on a player when they bought the team for $100M is pretty crazy if you think about it. Since there is no revenue sharing like other leagues, pretty much all the teams need to be sold to a true billionaire to hopefully be willing to spend. http://www.afootinthebox.com/peter/e...nd-value-today __________________ https://myslabs.to/brasm_sports5 https://www.ebay.com/str/jrbuddysportsandmore

05-09-2023, 07:38 PM	#18
jplarson Banned Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 15,578	Contract the A's and bring back the Expos.

05-09-2023, 07:42 PM	#19
MoreToppsPlease Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 8,676	Add a few teams in East Asia and one in Mexico City. If expansion can’t occur in new areas don’t bother doing it. __________________ IRS Tax Tip 2022-57 A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

05-09-2023, 08:00 PM	#20
djdevon Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 1,407 wartimeconsigliari	There needs to be less teams in actuality if they wish to create or retain a greater product. The talent is so diluted, especially in the pitching game. The playoffs are already a joke. Back in my day, there were 4 divisions and the 4 winners played until there was 1. I didn't hear anyone complaining. *hikes up pants to a respectable 'under the nipples' length

05-10-2023, 06:17 AM	#23
TooManyCards76 Banned - PBM Join Date: Nov 2022 Posts: 368	I’m all for 2 expansions teams in North America… but I’m also all for 8-16 expansion teams in Asia/Pacific (Korea/Japan)… I’d love another division in Central/South America/Caribbean, but security would be a nightmare, if relations with Cuba ever get to a reasonable point I’d love to see Cuba get 1-2 MLB teams.