Bleacher Bums Forum

MLB does not need a salary cap.

Even with a cap and a floor, there still will be a wide spending disparity between franchises.

NFL is different. Because they share basically all media revenues, they all have similar revenues and  spend right up to the cap limits.

In the NFL, Rams moved from L.A. to St. Louis because, for a time, made economic sense to do that. Can you imagine Dodgers moving to St. Louis?

And no, Chris, plenty of MLB historical examples of clubs dominating the game waaaaay more than Dodgers these days. Yankees won 15 pennants and 10 World Series from 1947-1964. (And glad you've returned to following baseball after your 24 hour departure).

Dodgers are hardly a lock to get to and/or win WS. They are smart and have a cultural/geographic pipeline to Japan, both of which iare key to their success too. Dodgers are not ruining the game. There will be adjustments that address spending in next cba but dream on if you think smart teams like Dodgers aren’t going to be at or near the top with a new cba.

As is obvious, none of my posts said anything about the Dodgers dominating more than any other ML team over any stretch. And even then, comparing their run to teams in the 50's and 60's is ridiculous.

Strawmen are fun though.

As is obvious, none of my posts said anything about the Dodgers dominating more than any other ML team over any stretch. And even then, comparing their run to teams in the 50's and 60's is ridiculous.

Strawmen are fun though.

Well, Chris, you said Dodgers are so good that “there is no point watching” baseball anymore (unless a Dodgers fan) and that Dodgers have more talent collectively than “any team in history.”

But, now you say above, Dodgers not really all that dominant comparatively. Okay, fine, glad you have your thoughts in order on this.

Look, I get it that everybody gets over exuberant in the moment at times but there will be a fun baseball season in 2026, Dodgers will be hard pressed to repeat, and maybe Cubs will be outstanding too in 2026.

And glad you’re back following baseball.

.... Yes, it’s harder for them all but welcome to the real world: some folks have advantages.....

2026 season will be very fun for baseball fans.

Couple thoughts:
1.  I admit it could be fun for me.  When you lose in the post-season, it's losing series that lasts a week.  But the regular season has all spring training, the weeks/months ahead, then 6 months of tracking and perhaps enjoying.  If the Cubs get to the NL championship series and then get beaten by the Dodgers, it will be a fun season for me.  I'm old enough to remember 1984, that was super fun.  1989 was super fun, even if we got waxed in no time in playoffs.  2003 Prior/Wood season was super heartbreak, but it was really fun.  and for me, 2015 when the Cubs were emerging as an elite team, that was really fun, "hey, we're just flat better than the Cardinals now...". So yeah, I'm not really in no-fun-if-we-don't-win-the-WS. 

2.  "some folks have advantages" is a dismissive comment, as if that's either normal or desirable.  But competitive imbalance is not good for the game or for fans.  Yankees dominating after the war 70 years ago, I can't imagine that was great for attendance.  Dodgers dominating isn't good for interest in the game.  And the level of Dodgers advantage is neither normal nor desirable; no other pro sports league in North America last half-century has that level of "advantage", and I doubt many in the world do. 

I hope there will be some modifications that reduce the disparity and improve the competitive balance. 

Sharma:

“there is also a belief within the organization that the Cubs value Hoerner — his defense, his intangibles and the whole package — more than any other team would.”

Sharma said above in context of trade rumors but I also wonder if might also apply to his free agency, with emphasis on “belief within the organization.”

I suspect that the Cubs would value him above most of the other teams when he becomes a free agent.  However, the question isn't likely to be Hoerner's value to the Cubs, compared to other teams.  But rather his value to the Cubs, compared to other options.  To pick numbers at random, do the Cubs get more value to the team paying Hoerner at second base at 25 million per year? or do they get more value to the team by paying Shaw at second base at 1 million dollars per year, and use the 24 remaing dollars to pay a starting pitcher (or several relief pitchers).

Braves financials are in.  No playoffs, lowest attendance since 2019.  $311 revenue.  $46 million dollar profit. The Braves payroll was higher than the Cubs.

...I think this is my 37th convention......

That is awesome! 

...Counsel was asked about the possibility of Shaw playing the OF. His response was essentially it is not a question, it's going to happen and has no doubt given his athleticism  that he will be successful....

That's really interesting. Brings 3 questions to my mind:
1.  CF or just corner?  CF is traditionally viewed as the most important one, but also the easiest one to play and learn. 

2.  I wonder how good Shaw might get, and how quickly?  Might his speed and athleticism get him to be as good or better than Seiya at some point durin the season?  Like, versus LH pitchers, if Shaw wins the platoon DH spot, might Shaw instead play OF and let Seiya DH? 

3.  Last roster spot.  If Shaw takes to outfield quickly, he and Alcantara are both RH guys with significant LH/RH splits.  Is that spot necessarily Alcantara's, or might that change before the season opens? 

I'm still wondering if they might add a LH-hitting outfielder, and give Alcantara some regular AB's at Iowa?  Might be variably advantageous for both the big-league club, *IF* the LH-hitting outfielder can hit RHP better than Alcantara can; and might perhaps be advantageous for Alcantara's development.  I know he's been in minors for many years, but he's still young, he's always been variably inconsistent within a season; and he hasn't yet learned how to tap into his power.  I'm still thinking a lot of AB's might still help both his development, and enhance his trade value.  Is it possible to make some adjustments such that he could pull-in-air more often, and boost his HR's?  If he had a first-half HR-surge, such that all of his offensive numbers jumped way up, his trade value at deadline might be way different than is true today.  Or if he had a season-long surge in HR production, maybe he could be considered in a 2027 outfield world in which perhaps Happ or Seiya, or both, were not re-signed? 

"No, I believe that CBJ is referring to the financial report thru 9/30. That came out back in November. So, a partial year report. Final report is yet to come. Probably will show a loss." Reb quote

Yes, I was just giving CBJ the benefit of the doubt that he had inside info.  But if he did, the 30 million 4th qtr profit would be non-baseball related.