MLB Playoffs to be Expanded for 2020

[Michael 3,020]

16 teams y'all.

 

 

[SonOfJack 3,101]

GOOD!

[SonOfJack 3,101]

 

[Michael 3,020]

Time to finish in 3rd!

[SilverBullet 3,071]

So it's basically 2 division winners per division and then 2 wild card teams per league after that. Wow even a 4th place team has a shot like this. 

[Michael 3,020]

 

Summarizes my thoughts exactly.

[SonOfJack 3,101]

Why is anyone surprised by that though?

[SonOfJack 3,101]

 

[FishFan95 1,114]

I don't mind the expanded playoffs in the shortened season since 60 games is not enough to decide everything. If they try to keep that shit next year, I riot.

[SonOfJack 3,101]

I bet this becomes the new format even in a regular sized season. They are going to see too much revenue potential and the fact that more markets can stay alive longer. I can’t see this door closing once it has been opened but maybe I’m wrong. 

[rmc523 767]

I agree with @SonOfJack.

I also like that the wild card is now a 3 game series.  I've always hated the single game Wild Card play in.

 

Kind of like government - once the money spigot gets opened, it doesn't shut.

Edited July 24, 2020 by rmc523

[QbanCastillo 126]

I see it as not happening right away next season but definitely soon after. Perhaps being a big issue with the CBA.

[rmc523 767]

1 hour ago, QbanCastillo said:

I see it as not happening right away next season but definitely soon after. Perhaps being a big issue with the CBA.

Yeah - maybe it's something MLB throws out there along with a bigger slice of revenue from it

[Das Texan 178]

Mike Trout is going to the playoffs baby!

[Das Texan 178]

I dont see it remaining at 16 teams, too many long term.

At least untli expansion happens.

[SonOfJack 3,101]

Just now, Das Texan said:

At least untli expansion happens.

When do you predict that happens?

[Michael 3,020]

2 hours ago, SonOfJack said:

When do you predict that happens?

I would not be shocked if it was early this decade.

[rmc523 767]

18 minutes ago, Michael said:

I would not be shocked if it was early this decade.

Agreed - "easy" way for the league to make up money lost in this season with expansion fees from the new clubs.

 

They wanted to do it anyway, this gives them an extra push to do it.....plus it's a bone they can throw at the union - "hey, we can create 50 (or X number) new jobs by adding 2+ teams".

Plus, it can also help with the minor league negotiations.  Manfred wants to cut the number of teams, but if you add say 2 new franchises, you'll need however many minor clubs for them, meaning fewer cuts on the minor league side.

Edited July 24, 2020 by rmc523

[Das Texan 178]

3 hours ago, SonOfJack said:

When do you predict that happens?

2-4 years.

[Michael 3,020]

3 hours ago, rmc523 said:

Agreed - "easy" way for the league to make up money lost in this season with expansion fees from the new clubs.

 

They wanted to do it anyway, this gives them an extra push to do it.....plus it's a bone they can throw at the union - "hey, we can create 50 (or X number) new jobs by adding 2+ teams".

Plus, it can also help with the minor league negotiations.  Manfred wants to cut the number of teams, but if you add say 2 new franchises, you'll need however many minor clubs for them, meaning fewer cuts on the minor league side.

They cut 32 teams instead of 40 or so. Still not great.

[rmc523 767]

2 hours ago, Michael said:

They cut 32 teams instead of 40 or so. Still not great.

I'm with you - I think it's dumb too.

[FishFan95 1,114]

On 7/23/2020 at 9:05 PM, SonOfJack said:

I bet this becomes the new format even in a regular sized season. They are going to see too much revenue potential and the fact that more markets can stay alive longer. I can’t see this door closing once it has been opened but maybe I’m wrong. 

They expanded the playoffs in 1981 from 4 to 8 because of the split season due to a strike. They went back to 4 after that until 1994. Still hopeful that they don't try anything stupid like using it next year.