For me, in rough order of preference:
1) Please please please, get rid of the unbalanced schedule or lessen it. I realize it's easier said than done but the other 3 sports seem to have gotten it right in recent years. Hell, I'd even take 13-15 games within the division, but seeing the same teams 19+ times a year (including pre-season and/or playoffs) is too much.
Maybe west vs east coast games can open the season on the opposite coast that way to allow time for time adjustments and play 4-5 game series. Perhaps then do the exact same thing after the All-Star break or during the start of September. I'm sure if you asked the players union if teams would prefer one long ass road trip with 5 game series for east vs west rather than make multiple trips, they would probably be more open to it. I just don't see how it's fair that one team could never have to see Felix Hernandez or Pedro Martinez (in the past), when another gets him 4-5 times a year.
2) Figure out the DH vs no DH and keep the same rule for both leagues.
3) Speeding up the game is a nice idea in theory like enforcing the high strike when the offense was out of control, but I don't see it consistently being enforced. Trimming 5-10 minutes off the clock realistically isn't going to attract 10 year olds. Put that on the back burner until actual ratings and revenues plummet.
4) Rework roster expansion. 40 is too many. I'd rather see 2 more eligible spots (25-27 a game) for the whole year, than 25-40 for one month. Let management decide if they want to increase payroll or start arbitration clocks or not. It will decrease wear and tear on the bullpens, and de-emphasize the need to drive up pitch counts since you'd have another break glass in case of emergency innings scarfer. Way too many position players pitching this year. Adam Dunn? Plus we'd get to see Steven Wright hang out in the dugout.
5) Move the joke of the Miami Marlins team to Montreal. Still in the East. Still in the NL. One Canadian team is just weird. Give it another shot, and the fans will come out in droves.
Agree with the concepts? Have your own ideas? Discuss.
1) Please please please, get rid of the unbalanced schedule or lessen it. I realize it's easier said than done but the other 3 sports seem to have gotten it right in recent years. Hell, I'd even take 13-15 games within the division, but seeing the same teams 19+ times a year (including pre-season and/or playoffs) is too much.
Maybe west vs east coast games can open the season on the opposite coast that way to allow time for time adjustments and play 4-5 game series. Perhaps then do the exact same thing after the All-Star break or during the start of September. I'm sure if you asked the players union if teams would prefer one long ass road trip with 5 game series for east vs west rather than make multiple trips, they would probably be more open to it. I just don't see how it's fair that one team could never have to see Felix Hernandez or Pedro Martinez (in the past), when another gets him 4-5 times a year.
2) Figure out the DH vs no DH and keep the same rule for both leagues.
3) Speeding up the game is a nice idea in theory like enforcing the high strike when the offense was out of control, but I don't see it consistently being enforced. Trimming 5-10 minutes off the clock realistically isn't going to attract 10 year olds. Put that on the back burner until actual ratings and revenues plummet.
4) Rework roster expansion. 40 is too many. I'd rather see 2 more eligible spots (25-27 a game) for the whole year, than 25-40 for one month. Let management decide if they want to increase payroll or start arbitration clocks or not. It will decrease wear and tear on the bullpens, and de-emphasize the need to drive up pitch counts since you'd have another break glass in case of emergency innings scarfer. Way too many position players pitching this year. Adam Dunn? Plus we'd get to see Steven Wright hang out in the dugout.
5) Move the joke of the Miami Marlins team to Montreal. Still in the East. Still in the NL. One Canadian team is just weird. Give it another shot, and the fans will come out in droves.
Agree with the concepts? Have your own ideas? Discuss.