Parataxis wrote:RalphWiggum wrote:Parataxis wrote:
Maybe my geography is off, but isn't Chicago smack in the middle of that? Much more so than Minne and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is marginally closer than Chicago is to Toronto. Also wanted both Chicago's in the Midwest. Minnesota geographically fits better in that midwest division but then I would've had to remove one of the Chicago teams which sorta defeats the purpose of the build rivalries thing.
I would definitely have no problem amending my idea that winning your division assures you of a playoff spot but not necessarily a first round bye if a wildcard team has a better record. Same record goes to division winners.
Personally, I'd love to see the division as Toronto Detroit, Cleveland i and both Chicagos. Maybe Pittsburgh as the sixth?
Then you've eliminated the the Chicago Cubs vs Sox battles and the hugely popular Cubs and Cardinals battles plus the new big St Louis vs KC battle? A few teams are going to have to suffer in this type of realignment but hopefully in a few years new rivals would emerge. Obviously this is all devil"s advocate stuff, I didn't make the proposals based on better just based on if the league had it's heart set on a new system. edit (It obviously doesn't eliminate both Chicago rivalries but it does many others with very little gain elsewhere). Id be very interested to see other posters opinions on a 4,5 or 6 division realignment and why they think that would be best long term. That's not blowing smoke up asses either, I'd love to see other posters ideas of new divisions as opposed to saying everything is perfect.
My biggest issue in today's game is slightly shortening the season and adding a few more playoff teams. I'm sure that could be done without radical realignment. I'm a huge proponent of a shorter season and maybe even also starting the season a week earlier by having the first week of games entirely held in domes or warm weather climates that can accommodate it. Nobody cares about season openers they care about home openers. No biggie if 15 teams have to play their first 6 games on the road every season. Shorter season, earlier season start and a couple other small changes means two weekends where MLB doesn't have to go heads up against the NFL which they always get crushed in and always will. I frankly can't believe this hasn't been a monstrous priority with the league office. Battling the NFL for 6 weeks makes a hell of a lot more sense than 8? Also make sure you never have playoff games on a Sunday unless they are late night west coast starts. This isn't rocket science MLB!
