Major League Baseball Ponders Radical Realignment Plan

Today I read a very interesting article by Tom Verducci, one of my favorite Sports Illustrated columnists, on the radical proposal that the MLB is considering regarding realignment.  Essentially, as Verducci put it, the MLB is considering an idea, "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." 

What this rule change would do is give teams like the Tampa Bay Rays a chance to switch divisions, leaving the AL East and the powerhouses of the Yankees and Red Sox, to a division like the much weaker AL Central where the Rays would have a realistic shot every year of winning the division. 
Take the 2009 season for example - at the conclusion of the regular season the Rays finished in third place behind the Red Sox (AL Wild-Card champions) and the division champion Yankees.  They finished the year 84-78, a whopping 19 games out of the pennant race.  If those same Rays would have been in the AL Central however, they would have been only 2 1/2 games behind the AL Central champion Twins.

This move I believe would be greatly beneficial to the MLB, for a number of reasons.

1. It would allow a more balanced playing field for teams like the Rays, who are in the top echelon of the American League, to compete year in and year out.
2. It would promote tighter pennant races for all three divisions.
3. It would allow lower payroll teams to vie for a chance to play in October.

All I can say is that I am presently surprised that the MLB is being more proactive at looking at the system of things, and trying to better the game. Even if this doesn't come to fruition, it's a move in the right direction to have the discussion.

Here is the link to the Tom Verducci piece:

Selig, committee considering radical realignment plan

Sports Update

Its been a little while since my last post, as my sports viewing has gone down considerably lately.  This is mainly because:

1. The NFL season has come to an end, and thus, life is not quite as grand.  The majority of my writing lately had been NFL playoff talk, so the absence of the pigskin has cut into my writing a bit.  The Sabbath has truly been a day of rest for me lately.
2. The MLB spring training has, for the most part, not started yet.  Soon I will be posting quite regularly on the latest news, transactions, fantasy updates and everything else under the sun.  Until then however, news is light.
3. The other sport I enjoy blogging about, MLS Soccer, is also in its off-season and has been relatively silent lately.  

Having said all this, I'm working on my picks for the upcoming Fantasy Baseball season, which will be coming in the next week days... I am starting to get excited for America's past-time!

News Around the MLB

Giants reach deal with Lincecum
The Giants have reached a preliminary two-year, $23 million dollar deal with ace Tim Lincecum. This deal will avoid arbitration for the two-time Cy Young award winner and the Bay-Area team. The proposed arbitration deal would have been a one-year contract for roughly 10-12 million.

Frank Thomas announces retirement
Frank Thomas announced his retirement today, after a 19-season career in which he hit 521 homers and won two American League MVP awards.

Mariners re-sign Chris Seddon and Guillermo Quiroz
Minor news for the M's, as they resigned a few players to minor league contracts with an invite to Spring Training.

Free agent Washburn awaits 'right offer'
Jared Washburn was traded last year at the all-start break from the M's to the Tigers, and at that point made it known that this off-season he would like to come back to the Emerald City if a offer was given.  Some months later however, he is a free-agent and has yet to sign with anyone.  Where will Wash end up?  It's unlikely he will settle in Seattle, who has a plethora of starting pitching depth...

Johnny Damon nearing decision
Johnny Damon looks like he will sign with the Detroit Tigers, who are offering more money than the proposed bid by the Atlanta Braves.  If Damon were to sign with the Tigers, he would also have the opportunity to DH this season, something that he would not be able to do for the NL Braves.