Tom Verducci reports the latest idea to come out of Bud Selig’s braintrust:
‘Floating Realignment’: Dumb Idea, Or The Dumbest Idea?
↵↵“Floating” realignment in which teams would not be fixed to a division, but free to change divisions from year-to-year based on geography, payroll and their plans to contend or not.
↵↵According to Verducci, the idea “gained strong support” among committee members, who want to address the competitive balance problem, but would rather not go the salary cap route. A couple of example scenarios. Cleveland could go to the AL East, to get 18 money-spinning dates against the Yankees and Red Sox, basically surrendering any chance of a playoff spot. Or Tampa Bay could move to the relatively-cheapskate AL Central for a better crack at postseason play.
↵I know they’re just brainstorming ideas, but the mere fact they came up with this, leaves me seeking a sharp object to jab into my ears. It does nothing to address the actual problem - that two teams outspend everyone else - but instead suggests franchises could simply bail out of trying to compete.
↵I trust I need not explain why it’s stupid beyond belief. At its logical conclusion, the AL East would consist of the Yankees and Red Sox, playing each other 162 times a year, while eight or nine teams fight for one playoff spot in the miserly AL Central. Anyone (not employed by ESPN) think this is a good idea?
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