How long until MLB breaks itself?

[northernbuck]

Shohei Ohtani will sign deal worth at least $600 million next offseason, ESPN pundit says

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels will hit the free agent market after this season, and with his once-in-a-lifetime skill, he can become an insanely rich man.

www.foxnews.com

This year the Oakland A's have a team payroll of roughly 40 million. The Mets have a payroll of around 400 million. Can anyone call this competitive? The A's have as much chance of winning the world series as Northwestern has of winning the NC in football.

 

[LandoComando]

Shohei Ohtani will sign deal worth at least $600 million next offseason, ESPN pundit says

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels will hit the free agent market after this season, and with his once-in-a-lifetime skill, he can become an insanely rich man.

www.foxnews.com

This year the Oakland A's have a team payroll of roughly 40 million. The Mets have a payroll of around 400 million. Can anyone call this competitive? The A's have as much chance of winning the world series as Northwestern has of winning the NC in football.

Hasn't it been like this for decades?
It's the small market teams that don't want a salary cap because their would be a floor. Teams like the As and Bucs are the problem. Not the Yankees.

 

[Psugo823]

Hasn't it been like this for decades?
It's the small market teams that don't want a salary cap because their would be a floor. Teams like the As and Bucs are the problem. Not the Yankees.

The SECOND time we agree on something. Good job Michigan man.

 

[northernbuck]

Hasn't it been like this for decades?
It's the small market teams that don't want a salary cap because their would be a floor. Teams like the As and Bucs are the problem. Not the Yankees.

Yes, but not to this extent. I have heard just the opposite. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Mets do not want a salary cap because that would end their competitive advantage. Regardless of the truth, MLB is broken. I meant for this to be on the Test board. I will go there with it.

 

[LandoComando]

Yes, but not to this extent. I have heard just the opposite. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Mets do not want a salary cap because that would end their competitive advantage. Regardless of the truth, MLB is broken.

It's definitely not the "haves" because even with a cap it won't be hard so they'll still be able to spend. The issue is what the small markets would have to spent to be compliant. Think the NHL and the Coyotes trading for a ton of injured players to get to the floor.

 

[fkkkjm]

Who gives a shit. People always find something to whine about. There’s still one sport without a salary cap. Stop whining.

 

[NedFromYork]

I don't think the players want a salary cap.

I think allowing for trading of draft picks would help the smaller market teams compile picks for cost controlled talent, and would make the draft way more exciting.

 

[NC2017]

Shohei Ohtani will sign deal worth at least $600 million next offseason, ESPN pundit says

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels will hit the free agent market after this season, and with his once-in-a-lifetime skill, he can become an insanely rich man.

www.foxnews.com

This year the Oakland A's have a team payroll of roughly 40 million. The Mets have a payroll of around 400 million. Can anyone call this competitive? The A's have as much chance of winning the world series as Northwestern has of winning the NC in football.

I'm ok with this. As far as I'm concerned, it's a market. The NIL scheme is far worse, IMO.

 

[LandoComando]

I'm ok with this. As far as I'm concerned, it's a market. The NIL scheme is far worse, IMO.

How is NIL worse? A professional league isn't looking for any kind of competitive balance but college kids earning money when they make millions upon millions for their school is the bigger issue?

 

[lockhavenlion3]

Who gives a shit. People always find something to whine about. There’s still one sport without a salary cap. Stop whining.

college football ?

 

[PS4814]

Who gives a shit. People always find something to whine about. There’s still one sport without a salary cap. Stop whining.

So you’re now whining about people whining? Welcome to message boards on the internet.

Also I wouldn’t classify the OP as whining, more a sharing of the absurd difference of salary allocation across the MLB. Perhaps the MLB should go with the relegation model like soccer. Best performing minor league team moves up and worst MLB team is now a minor league team.

 

[LandoComando]

So you’re now whining about people whining? Welcome to message boards on the internet.

Also I wouldn’t classify the OP as whining, more a sharing of the absurd difference of salary allocation across the MLB. Perhaps the MLB should go with the regulation model like soccer. Best performing minor league team moves up and worst MLB team is now a minor league team.

Why would any owner agree to that?

 

[PS4814]

Why would any owner agree to that?

They would never agree to it! But at some point in the future when there are no younger fans of the “small market” teams due to their decades of futility, and the long time fans die off (average age of a baseball fan is 57), the market will force something to give. Whether it be splitting the league based on payroll, putting in an NFL style salary structure, who knows. When 1/3 of the teams averaged under 20k fans in the stands last year, well, the writing is on the wall imho.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

Shohei Ohtani will sign deal worth at least $600 million next offseason, ESPN pundit says

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels will hit the free agent market after this season, and with his once-in-a-lifetime skill, he can become an insanely rich man.

www.foxnews.com

This year the Oakland A's have a team payroll of roughly 40 million. The Mets have a payroll of around 400 million. Can anyone call this competitive? The A's have as much chance of winning the world series as Northwestern has of winning the NC in football.

yet the Mets will probably fail to win it. when i have gone to games in the last few years, I see a half-empty stadium. don't know anybody who watches it regularly. even a team winning the world series has become mostly a local story. i don't understand how baseball is even afloat at this point

 

[bourbon n blues]

They would never agree to it! But at some point in the future when there are no younger fans of the “small market” teams due to their decades of futility, and the long time fans die off (average age of a baseball fan is 57), the market will force something to give. Whether it be splitting the league based on payroll, putting in an NFL style salary structure, who knows. When 1/3 of the teams averaged under 20k fans in the stands last year, well, the writing is on the wall imho.

I’ve found baseball boring for decades now. I can’t watch it anymore.

 

[LandoComando]

They would never agree to it! But at some point in the future when there are no younger fans of the “small market” teams due to their decades of futility, and the long time fans die off (average age of a baseball fan is 57), the market will force something to give. Whether it be splitting the league based on payroll, putting in an NFL style salary structure, who knows. When 1/3 of the teams averaged under 20k fans in the stands last year, well, the writing is on the wall imho.

I don't think we'll ever see major changes. Teams like the Pirates are still profitable.

 

[BOSCO2]

I don't think we'll ever see major changes. Teams like the Pirates are still profitable.

Even if they're losing money these teams are all owned by multi-millionaires that claim any losses as a tax write-off. Some of them want to win. Some, not so much.

 

[LandoComando]

Even if they're losing money these teams are all owned by multi-millionaires that claim any losses as a tax write-off. Some of them want to win. Some, not so much.

Also valid

 

[Wandering Spectator]

I’ve found baseball boring for decades now. I can’t watch it anymore.

I had the most fun I’ve ever had at a baseball game last night. The game was over in 2 hours. We paid $25 (all in) for tix in the first row down the 3rd base line.

The home team won in walkoff fashion. There were some incredible diving catches. Players interacting with the crowd. Even the umpires were fun to watch when they called a strikeout.

After the game, a lot of the players signed autographs and took pictures with the crowd out in the plaza as their band entertained the crowd.

If you get a chance, go see the Savannah Bananas. The Harlem Globetrotters of baseball. Fun night.

 

[PS4814]

I had the most fun I’ve ever had at a baseball game last night. The game was over in 2 hours. We paid $25 (all in) for tix in the first row down the 3rd base line.

The home team won in walkoff fashion. There were some incredible diving catches. Players interacting with the crowd. Even the umpires were fun to watch when they called a strikeout.

After the game, a lot of the players signed autographs and took pictures with the crowd out in the plaza as their band entertained the crowd.

If you get a chance, go see the Savannah Bananas. The Harlem Globetrotters of baseball. Fun night.

Well yea - it’s minor league baseball which is much more fan friendly and things to do, especially the Savannah Bananas. Apples to oranges wrt mlb baseball. If all mlb were like that maybe it wouldn’t be a dying sport.

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Well yea - it’s minor league baseball which is much more fan friendly and things to do, especially the Savannah Bananas. Apples to oranges wrt mlb baseball. If all mlb were like that maybe it wouldn’t be a dying sport.

I agree! MLB is a dying sport that is in need of a makeover.

 

[Lattner]

Still a sport that requires a wide variety of skills, and that is the attraction. Watch Clemente fielding a ball off the wall in right at Forbes and throwing a guy out at 3rd.

Jacking up 3s is not a skill. Nor is running a 4 sec 40, or being huge and strong.

 

[Waltwam]

How is NIL worse? A professional league isn't looking for any kind of competitive balance but college kids earning money when they make millions upon millions for their school is the bigger issue?

Just end all sports and let'em go get a real job!!! 😉

 

[BOSCO2]

Well yea - it’s minor league baseball which is much more fan friendly and things to do, especially the Savannah Bananas. Apples to oranges wrt mlb baseball. If all mlb were like that maybe it wouldn’t be a dying sport.

I'm not an MLB fan but I live around Reading and have always said that if you like baseball, go see the Reading Phillies or go to Allentown to see the Iron Pigs. Free parking, cheap food, grass fields and future Phillies. What's not to like?

 

[Wandering Spectator]

I'm not an MLB fan but I live around Reading and have always said that if you like baseball, go see the Reading Phillies or go to Allentown to see the Iron Pigs. Free parking, cheap food, grass fields and future Phillies. What's not to like?

The Bananas weren’t charging minor league prices. I paid $16 for a 24oz beer and $6 for a 16oz water last night. I wonder how that compares to when they play at home.

 

[LandoComando]

I feel like the Bananas was appealing to little kids not adults. I don't see why any "sports fan" would enjoy those games. Although I also never, even as a kid, enjoyed the Harlem Globetrotters so maybe I'm just alone.

 

[LongJakk]

Players were pushing for a salary Floor over the break. Unfortunately, they caved on it and accepted a deal screwing pirates fans until Nutting is forced out.

 

[Parkland Fan]

I'm not an MLB fan but I live around Reading and have always said that if you like baseball, go see the Reading Phillies or go to Allentown to see the Iron Pigs. Free parking, cheap food, grass fields and future Phillies. What's not to like?

True except the free parking. It was $5 at the Iron Pigs last year. I am going to the Pigs' game next Saturday and will find out if they increased parking fees.

 

[LandoComando]

Players were pushing for a salary Floor over the break. Unfortunately, they caved on it and accepted a deal screwing pirates fans until Nutting is forced out.

Who was pushing for a floor? Nutting sure as hell wasn't

 

[Wandering Spectator]

I feel like the Bananas was appealing to little kids not adults. I don't see why any "sports fan" would enjoy those games. Although I also never, even as a kid, enjoyed the Harlem Globetrotters so maybe I'm just alone.

I see what you did there. 😜 Definitely appealing to kids, but they are just a wholesome good time. Lots of music and sing along. Pranks. Gimmicks.

But the rules keep the game moving along and your out of there in 2 hours.

I originally thought they were an actual MiLB team but they aren’t. Although they are pretty good ball players. They are there just to have fun and enter the crowd. A great family night out.

 

[BOSCO2]

True except the free parking. It was $5 at the Iron Pigs last year. I am going to the Pigs' game next Saturday and will find out if they increased parking fees.

Haven't been to a Reading game for a long time, so, it's possible I could be wrong on the free parking. The stadium's pretty close to a residential area, so I'm sure one could find a space at no charge.

 

[harbest]

I don't think the players want a salary cap.

I think allowing for trading of draft picks would help the smaller market teams compile picks for cost controlled talent, and would make the draft way more exciting.

A team drafts a player, spends X # of millions developing him, brings him up to the majors and in 6 years, he walks off and takes the big money from someone else. IMO, the MLB draft is totally useless. Time for it to go the way of the dinosaur.

 

[LandoComando]

A team drafts a player, spends X # of millions developing him, brings him up to the majors and in 6 years, he walks off and takes the big money from someone else. IMO, the MLB draft is totally useless. Time for it to go the way of the dinosaur.

The MLB draft doesn't work because unlike the NBA and NFL we're not talking about pro ready players the majority of the time

 

[PaoliLion]

Shohei Ohtani will sign deal worth at least $600 million next offseason, ESPN pundit says

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels will hit the free agent market after this season, and with his once-in-a-lifetime skill, he can become an insanely rich man.

www.foxnews.com

This year the Oakland A's have a team payroll of roughly 40 million. The Mets have a payroll of around 400 million. Can anyone call this competitive? The A's have as much chance of winning the world series as Northwestern has of winning the NC in football.

MLB, what's that?