Manfred hopes for expansion to 32 teams

canaveral · 07-18-2018, 02:52 PM

As related by CBS Sports from an interview last night on Fox Sports, here's Manfred's quote: "I think 32 teams would be great for our sport." He favored 4 team, 4 division leagues and re-doing the playoffs. He even listed likely expansion cities: Portland, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville, Montreal, Vancouver, and some place in Mexico "in the long haul." Sounds like what OOTP players have been saying right along.

Personally, with 32 teams, I always go with 3 divisions of 6, 5, and 5 teams. And I typically choose Vancouver (I like Whitecaps or Cruisers as team names) and Charlotte (either Knights or Smokies).

Nashville is curious. Could they support baseball already having the NFL, NHL, and 4 Division 1 college teams? Always great to speculate.

TheMaus2 · 07-18-2018, 03:18 PM

The 3 division thing is interesting, never thought about it

pgjocki · 07-18-2018, 07:01 PM

I hate a division of 4 teams as it usually leads to an undeserving team making the playoffs.

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Airdrop01 · 07-18-2018, 07:31 PM

If they do that 4/4 in each league they may as well just make it the NHL and get it over with. Everyone makes the playoffs!!!!!

low · 07-18-2018, 07:54 PM

I don't get the hatred for 4-team divisions.

Orcin · 07-18-2018, 07:54 PM

The problem is not what we see when we look at the standings. The problem is what we see when we look at the field.

ForeverRoyalKC · 07-18-2018, 08:48 PM

Just for conversation sake, do you think we'll have any teams jumping leagues? I'm don't follow baseball as closely as some of you, has there been any speculation/rumors if any teams would jump if expansion DID happen??

rudel.dietrich · 07-18-2018, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canaveral

Nashville is curious. Could they support baseball already having the NFL, NHL, and 4 Division 1 college teams? Always great to speculate.

Nashville is a fantastic and diverse city that came out of the 2008 recession better than just about any other large city in the US.
It could support a baseball team if the stadium and location are correct.

Le Grande Orange · 07-18-2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMaus2

The 3 division thing is interesting, never thought about it

There are two issues with it: (1) for those who don't like the wild card, there'd still be wild card qualifiers; (2) it is a harder arrangement for which to create a schedule, especially if interleague is included.

Quote:

Originally Posted by low

I don't get the hatred for 4-team divisions.

They're too small, with too little competitive and opponent variety, and scheduling is more troublesome in that you either have to have either a very large number of games against just three other teams in order to have a good proportion of divisional games, or you have an even tinier proportion of divisional games as a share of the total than compared to now, thus reducing the meaningfulness of the divisions.

knightdreamer2k · 07-18-2018, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low

I don't get the hatred for 4-team divisions.

I'm the same way. I would be okay with 4 team divisions. It would make the regular season even more exciting. The only question is would you do straight division champs for playoffs or add 1 wildcard and have division winner with lowest record play sudden death game.

Westheim · 07-19-2018, 01:58 AM

I hope for Rob Manfred to expand to such size that he can't get through his bedroom door anymore and has to keep his oh so clever ideas to himself and Mrs. Manfred, the poor thing.

ukhotstove · 07-19-2018, 07:24 AM

2 divisions of 8 teams in each league, 32 teams sorted. Oh and throw out inter league and DH while your at it.

Cooleyvol · 07-19-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Nashville is a fantastic and diverse city that came out of the 2008 recession better than just about any other large city in the US.
It could support a baseball team if the stadium and location are correct.

Nashville just built a new 10,000 seat AAA stadium that, according to the mayor, is not expandable. The Mayor also said recently that his focus is on the upcoming MLS team in Nashville. I'd doubt Nashville has the balls to take this on right now. The Preds and Titans both have leases expiring soon to boot.

pgjocki · 07-19-2018, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

2 divisions of 8 teams in each league, 32 teams sorted. Oh and throw out inter league and DH while your at it.

The purist in me loves this but the realist says incorporate DH in both leagues and lower the mound 3 inches.

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Westheim · 07-19-2018, 04:00 PM

The concept of the DH should be killed with fire...

GeoWar · 07-19-2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgjocki

The purist in me loves this but the realist says incorporate DH in both leagues and lower the mound 3 inches.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Like the Idea of 2 divisions of 8 teams each in each league ..... I like the locations of Salt Lake City - Las Vegas - ** ( Portland or Vancouver ) . Also think Houston should move back to National League .... Would they think of putting a Second team in Boston or Philly ?

If MLB continues Interleague play then DH for all or allow a designated runner ( suggested at one time by Charles Finley ) .... if MLB discontinues Interleague then no change needed.

The Pitching mound ..... raise it ( I would say to the mid-60's level ) - I think it would reduce stress on the pitcher's arm (??)

ThatSeventiesGuy · 07-20-2018, 12:43 AM

Four divisions, 8 teams each, no stinkin' wild cards. I actually did that scenario in one of my leagues. The two extra clubs started in 1986 and were the two hot towns for expansion rumors at the time...Buffalo and Indianapolis (not counting Denver, Tampa, Miami, or Phoenix, which got added in later anyhow).

As if the players would ever go for it. Or the owners, for that matter. Those playoff revenues and all.

Ragnar · 07-20-2018, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low

I don't get the hatred for 4-team divisions.

The potential for weaker division winners, that simple. If you value a division winner as a playoff team, then winning against 3 other teams is a lot easier than 7 other teams.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

2 divisions of 8 teams in each league, 32 teams sorted. Oh and throw out inter league and DH while your at it.

Agreed on every point. I would also throw out wildcard while we're at it. Bring back winning the division and making the playoffs a reason to celebrate. But these minor points aren't as important IMO as 8 team divisions.

dsvitak · 07-20-2018, 09:06 AM

If you multiply median income by population, then Portland and Vegas need to be in he conversation.

Vegas would need a domed stadium, otherwise players would be dying on the field.

ukhotstove · 07-20-2018, 10:36 AM

ps Can we move the Marlins to L.A. and Rays to San Francisco not like Miami and Tampa would miss them. Then move the Dodgers back to Brooklyn and Giants back to New York

07-18-2018, 02:52 PM	#1
canaveral Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Space Coast FL Posts: 194	Manfred hopes for expansion to 32 teams As related by CBS Sports from an interview last night on Fox Sports, here's Manfred's quote: "I think 32 teams would be great for our sport." He favored 4 team, 4 division leagues and re-doing the playoffs. He even listed likely expansion cities: Portland, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville, Montreal, Vancouver, and some place in Mexico "in the long haul." Sounds like what OOTP players have been saying right along. Personally, with 32 teams, I always go with 3 divisions of 6, 5, and 5 teams. And I typically choose Vancouver (I like Whitecaps or Cruisers as team names) and Charlotte (either Knights or Smokies). Nashville is curious. Could they support baseball already having the NFL, NHL, and 4 Division 1 college teams? Always great to speculate.

07-18-2018, 03:18 PM	#2
TheMaus2 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The OOTP Forums. Always. Posts: 1,949 Blog Entries: 16	The 3 division thing is interesting, never thought about it __________________ I write a monthly newsletter on the Food Baseball Association. I also listen to music no one's ever heard of in hopes of looking cool and alternative.

07-18-2018, 07:01 PM	#3
pgjocki All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Maryland - just outside DC Posts: 1,483	I hate a division of 4 teams as it usually leads to an undeserving team making the playoffs. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ - - - World Series championships: 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011

07-18-2018, 07:31 PM	#4
Airdrop01 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lenexa, KS / Wilson, WY Posts: 1,354	If they do that 4/4 in each league they may as well just make it the NHL and get it over with. Everyone makes the playoffs!!!!! __________________

07-19-2018, 01:58 AM	#11
Westheim Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 11,887	I hope for Rob Manfred to expand to such size that he can't get through his bedroom door anymore and has to keep his oh so clever ideas to himself and Mrs. Manfred, the poor thing. __________________ Portland Raccoons, 83 years of excell-.... of baseball: Furballs here! 1983 * 1989 * 1991 * 1992 * 1993 * 1995 * 1996 * 2010 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * 2026 * 2028 * 2035 * 2037 * 2044 * 2045 * 2046 * 2047 * 2048 * 2051 * 2054 * 2055 1 OSANAI : 2 POWELL : 7 NOMURA \| RAMOS : 8 REECE : 10 BROWN : 15 HALL : 27 FERNANDEZ : 28 CASAS : 31 CARMONA : 32 WEST : 39 TONER : 46 SAITO Resident Mets Cynic - The Mets from 1962 onwards, here.

07-18-2018, 07:54 PM	#5
low Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 5,738	I don't get the hatred for 4-team divisions.

07-18-2018, 07:54 PM	#6
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,798	The problem is not what we see when we look at the standings. The problem is what we see when we look at the field.

07-18-2018, 08:48 PM	#7
ForeverRoyalKC All Star Starter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hop, skip and a jump from Stockton Lake, MO. Posts: 1,128 Blog Entries: 3	Just for conversation sake, do you think we'll have any teams jumping leagues? I'm don't follow baseball as closely as some of you, has there been any speculation/rumors if any teams would jump if expansion DID happen??

07-19-2018, 07:24 AM	#12
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	2 divisions of 8 teams in each league, 32 teams sorted. Oh and throw out inter league and DH while your at it. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

07-19-2018, 04:00 PM	#15
Westheim Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 11,887	The concept of the DH should be killed with fire... __________________ Portland Raccoons, 83 years of excell-.... of baseball: Furballs here! 1983 * 1989 * 1991 * 1992 * 1993 * 1995 * 1996 * 2010 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * 2026 * 2028 * 2035 * 2037 * 2044 * 2045 * 2046 * 2047 * 2048 * 2051 * 2054 * 2055 1 OSANAI : 2 POWELL : 7 NOMURA \| RAMOS : 8 REECE : 10 BROWN : 15 HALL : 27 FERNANDEZ : 28 CASAS : 31 CARMONA : 32 WEST : 39 TONER : 46 SAITO Resident Mets Cynic - The Mets from 1962 onwards, here.

07-20-2018, 12:43 AM	#17
ThatSeventiesGuy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 3,421	Four divisions, 8 teams each, no stinkin' wild cards. I actually did that scenario in one of my leagues. The two extra clubs started in 1986 and were the two hot towns for expansion rumors at the time...Buffalo and Indianapolis (not counting Denver, Tampa, Miami, or Phoenix, which got added in later anyhow). As if the players would ever go for it. Or the owners, for that matter. Those playoff revenues and all. __________________ https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...00&postcount=1 Last edited by ThatSeventiesGuy; 07-20-2018 at 12:45 AM.

07-20-2018, 09:06 AM	#19
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4,871	If you multiply median income by population, then Portland and Vegas need to be in he conversation. Vegas would need a domed stadium, otherwise players would be dying on the field.

07-20-2018, 10:36 AM	#20
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	ps Can we move the Marlins to L.A. and Rays to San Francisco not like Miami and Tampa would miss them. Then move the Dodgers back to Brooklyn and Giants back to New York __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty