You know, the recent All Star game got me thinking.
Baseball has been run through the ringer the last few years. Every home run hit has had the smell of steroids surrounding it, the home run race of 1998 (which saved the sport as we know it) has been tarnished forever, the home run records, formerly the most important records in all of sports, are about to be cheapened by the most egregious abuser of roids this century, a commission has been established to invesitgate the issue by baseball, Congress continues to keep their eye on the sport, and African Americans seem less interested in the national pass time than ever before, games still last too long, not enough kids are interested in the game, and ratings for everything from All Star games to world series games have been on the decline.
Yet the sport is awash in money, so much so that Alex Rodriguez is poised, if/when he opts out of his contract, to sign a deal worth over $30 mill a year. Attendance has skyrocketed all over the country where even less competitive teams seem to be drawing better than they ever have. The sport has finally achieved what it always desired, a reasonable amount of competitive balance, where the majority of the teams in the majors routinely find themselves within striking distance of a playoff birth come September each year. And the stars of the game are STARS, eclipsed by no other players on sports (except for the skill position players in the NFL perhaps)
So baseball has a chance to truly take off over the next several years. The owners and the players seem to be at peace, the luxury tax (a poor mans salary cap) seems to be acceptable to everyone involved, and the money is flowing.
But some things still need to be taken care of. Just a few housekeeping tips for Bud Selig and company to sure up the loose ends.
Let Mark Cuban in the party.
When I heard that Mark Cuban was looking to buy the Chicago Cubs I was ellated. Cuban is a perfect owner. He spends money. He treats players well. He loves to win and hates to lose. He wants to make the experience of watching a sport as enjoyable as possible for the fans. And he is a character, someone who will make for good press and interesting quotes. He'll challenge baseball when it needs to be challenged, but he'll also help market the game as effectively and aggressively as he can. He has made Dallas Mavericks basketball, once about as dead as Cherry Coke, the "in" team to root for in a city that only usually cares about its Cowboys.
So, you can imagine how shocked I was to hear that Cuban is considered a long shot to buy the team. Why? Not because he doesn't have the money (he's got plenty of that, and so do the other investors he would be buying with). It isn't because his track record in another sport has been bad. It is evidently because Jerry Reinsdorff, owner of the Chicago White Sox seems to think Cuban is a fool and an embarassment to the NBA and Bud Selig seems to agree. Now, is it shocking that the owner of the Chicago White Sox wouldn't want Cuban owning oh, I don't know, THE CHICAGO CUBS? Does anyone really believe that Reinsdorff has a personal problem with Cuban and that his motives don't include keeping a successful sports owner out of his town?
Please!!!!!! Cuban is good for sports. He makes an ass out of himself. He cares about the game. he is young (comparatively speaking) and outspoken. And he knows how to successfully run an organization. Am I missing something here? Does MLB really think the over-the-top, sometimes foolish actions of Mark Cuban will be a detriment to the league? Does he really think Cuban is gonna jump out onto the field and argue with umps over balls and strikes?
Come on. You know this guy would make it his business to ensure that the Cubs were contenders every year. He would dump money into the team. He would be hands on. And he would be someone to always add a little interest to the sport. Here's a clue: guys like Mark Cuban, who can get under your skin sometimes, can make you laugh sometimes, can make you cringe sometimes...........they are good for sports. George Steinbrenner, and his "in your face" style of ownership has been great for baseball. Cuban would be as well. Would he make his presence felt? Of course he would, but why is that such a bad thing? Some people will love him, some people will hate him, but he will bring a winner to Wrigley and baseball headlines to your local paper.
And why is this a bad thing again?
Someone wake Peter Angelos up
I just realized today how bad the Orioles have been for how long. Nine straight losing seasons? The Orioles? That can't be right, can it?
Well, it is. The Orioles, once one of the proudest franchises in baseball, is an afterthought each and every year, and the future doesn't look that much brighter. So an improved Baltimore Orioles team makes baseball better. They have great fans, they have great tradition, they have still one of the most attractive ball parks in the world and they should have the revenues to compete with the big boys in their division.
So how do we get the Orioles back on track? Here are some ideas: Keep Miguel Tejada and build around him. Watch as Nick Markajis grows into a big time baseball star. Bring up James Brucy, a big time, young minor league outfield prospect, and throw him out there. Build your rotation around Eric Bedard and Daniel Cabrera. Build your bullpen around Chris Ray. Aggresively pursue trades that would benefit the team now and in the future. Get a star the fans can identify with.
One move I would love to see? I want to see Jarrod Saltimacchia on the Orioles. He is the next great catching star in this league, a power hitter and a great defensive player. Adding him to the team would give the Orioles another big, young bat, along with Markajis, Brucy and Tejada (who isn't that young anymore at 31, but is still young). Give up a few prospects and get Jason Giambi. At DH, Giambi (35) could still give a team four or even five years of power numbers. Sure, he'll make a trip to the DL every once in a while, but he will hit for power, get on base, is good friends with Miguel Tejada, and can help groom the younger guys, showin them the ropes.
Brian Roberts, new third baseman Nick Markajis, Tejada, Giambi, Saltimacchia, Jay Gibbons, Brucy, Paterson has the makings of a very formidable lineup for years to come, one that would be balanced with home run power, average potential, and a good mix of young players and old vets. Considering the fact that the Yanks and Red Sox have holes, the Orioles making a comeback shoule be a possibility.
You aint gotta go home, but ya gotta get out of here
Tampa Bay needs new ownership and a new home. It amazes me that baseball would look down on Mark Cuban being an owner yet seems to have no problem with an inept ownership group in Tampa that has put together argueably the least appealing franchise in baseball history. There is nothing interesting about the Devil Rays. Tropicana Field is depressing, even to watch a game on television requires a good quanity of prozac. Their uniforms are drab. Their team plays infront of no one. Their fans know they have no chance. And the young, quality players they seem to have never, ever have a chance to stay with the team. More than any other franchise they are in a constant rebuilding mode.
Tampa Bay needs to move. Where? How about Orlando? That keeps baseball in the immediate area, put the team in a bustling town that has supported basketball and should easily be able to support baseball, is a constant attraction for both locals and out of towners, and is swimming in money.
No to Orlando? How about Nashville? Nashville just barely missed out on the Expos when they were moved to DC a few years back. They have the facilities and they seem to have the interest. Baseball would have no competitors in the area, as Nashville baseball would be the only game in town. And, again, it would be a thriving, bustling metropolis compared to Tampa Bay.
The point isn't the place the Rays move to, the point is that they need to move and need to move soon. If baseball could get their act together in the next year or two it might actually be enough time for the Rays to hang onto the likes of Carl Crawford, Delmon Young, BJ Upton, Scott Kazmir, and perhaps even Rocco Baldelli, or at least hang on to enough of them to stay competitive. Of all the teams in major league baseball no other needs a new home more desperately. It is the ONLY hopeless case in the sport.
And as for that other team in Florida.................
As opposed to The Devil Rays the Marlins have tradition. That's right, I said the Marlins have tradition. Think about it, in the last 90+ years of baseball who has more world series championships, the Florida Marlins or the Boston Red Sox? That's right folks, the Marlins have reached the summitt of the baseball world twice since coming into the league in the early 90's. They have put together great teams, and promptly sold those teams off, but they have brought rings and trophies to southern Florida multiple times, and that is something only the Marlins can boast.
So what do they need? Well, the Marlins also need a new home, but unlike the Devil Rays they don't need a new home in a new town. Miami can easily support baseball, and has in the past. They have packed a football stadium, dealt with the Florida rain storms, dealt with the Florida bottom dwellers, watched as teams they grew to love were traded off like beaver pelts in some old barter town of the wild west, and still they have come back. Not in droves, mind you, but they are there.
What the Marlins need is what they have asked for time and time again, a new stadium with a new roof that protects them from the 40+ rain outs they seem to incur every single year. According to reports early this year the Marlins, who have seen their hopes for a new stadium ebb and flow seemingly with every month since 1998, now believe a plan is in place to build a $450 million domed stadium just north of downtown Miami. This would be the perfect scenario.
Now is the time for baseball to step in and try, as hard as they can, to make this happen. They don't need to relocate a team that doesn't need relocation. The tragedy would be if the Marlins left for greener pastures in a town like San Antonio while the devil Rays continued to wallow in the ninth circle of hell called Tropicana Field. Give the Marlins a new ballpark, new revenue stream, an excited fan base, with a base of good players and one of the best farm systems in baseball? Jeffrey Loria, a man destined to become a Steinbrenner or Lucchino or Wilpon (put your money where your mouth is owners) would have the Marlins competing with the Mets and Braves every year for an East title.
Willie McCovey cove? Meet A-Rod alley
During the All Star Break Alex Rodriguez was as giddy as a school boy about the friendly confines of Pac Bell. That isn't shocking, considering how gorgeous that stadium is rumored to be. But A-Rod was overally enthusiastic. He seemed like someone shopping for a new home. And while I count myself as an avid baseball fan, and believe that there is still a very good chance the Yanks open up the wallet for A-Rod at the end of the year, what is honestly BEST for baseball is for A-Rod to trek on over to San Francisco and inject an incredible amount of excitement into that franchise.
Barry Bonds may or may not come back next year, but if he doesn't the Giants will have $22 milll freed up to go after A-Rod. They have the pitching already in place, with Zito not nearly as bad as he has pitched (look for him to rebound in either the second half or next year) Matt Cain poised to be an ace for years and years to come, Tim Lincecum a possible challenger to that ace mantle breaking into his own, and Noah Lowry slated to be one of the most solid number four starters in the league today. Did I mention each one of these guys is under the age of 30? That's not bad looking into the future.
Baseball has been run through the ringer the last few years. Every home run hit has had the smell of steroids surrounding it, the home run race of 1998 (which saved the sport as we know it) has been tarnished forever, the home run records, formerly the most important records in all of sports, are about to be cheapened by the most egregious abuser of roids this century, a commission has been established to invesitgate the issue by baseball, Congress continues to keep their eye on the sport, and African Americans seem less interested in the national pass time than ever before, games still last too long, not enough kids are interested in the game, and ratings for everything from All Star games to world series games have been on the decline.
Yet the sport is awash in money, so much so that Alex Rodriguez is poised, if/when he opts out of his contract, to sign a deal worth over $30 mill a year. Attendance has skyrocketed all over the country where even less competitive teams seem to be drawing better than they ever have. The sport has finally achieved what it always desired, a reasonable amount of competitive balance, where the majority of the teams in the majors routinely find themselves within striking distance of a playoff birth come September each year. And the stars of the game are STARS, eclipsed by no other players on sports (except for the skill position players in the NFL perhaps)
So baseball has a chance to truly take off over the next several years. The owners and the players seem to be at peace, the luxury tax (a poor mans salary cap) seems to be acceptable to everyone involved, and the money is flowing.
But some things still need to be taken care of. Just a few housekeeping tips for Bud Selig and company to sure up the loose ends.
Let Mark Cuban in the party.
When I heard that Mark Cuban was looking to buy the Chicago Cubs I was ellated. Cuban is a perfect owner. He spends money. He treats players well. He loves to win and hates to lose. He wants to make the experience of watching a sport as enjoyable as possible for the fans. And he is a character, someone who will make for good press and interesting quotes. He'll challenge baseball when it needs to be challenged, but he'll also help market the game as effectively and aggressively as he can. He has made Dallas Mavericks basketball, once about as dead as Cherry Coke, the "in" team to root for in a city that only usually cares about its Cowboys.
So, you can imagine how shocked I was to hear that Cuban is considered a long shot to buy the team. Why? Not because he doesn't have the money (he's got plenty of that, and so do the other investors he would be buying with). It isn't because his track record in another sport has been bad. It is evidently because Jerry Reinsdorff, owner of the Chicago White Sox seems to think Cuban is a fool and an embarassment to the NBA and Bud Selig seems to agree. Now, is it shocking that the owner of the Chicago White Sox wouldn't want Cuban owning oh, I don't know, THE CHICAGO CUBS? Does anyone really believe that Reinsdorff has a personal problem with Cuban and that his motives don't include keeping a successful sports owner out of his town?
Please!!!!!! Cuban is good for sports. He makes an ass out of himself. He cares about the game. he is young (comparatively speaking) and outspoken. And he knows how to successfully run an organization. Am I missing something here? Does MLB really think the over-the-top, sometimes foolish actions of Mark Cuban will be a detriment to the league? Does he really think Cuban is gonna jump out onto the field and argue with umps over balls and strikes?
Come on. You know this guy would make it his business to ensure that the Cubs were contenders every year. He would dump money into the team. He would be hands on. And he would be someone to always add a little interest to the sport. Here's a clue: guys like Mark Cuban, who can get under your skin sometimes, can make you laugh sometimes, can make you cringe sometimes...........they are good for sports. George Steinbrenner, and his "in your face" style of ownership has been great for baseball. Cuban would be as well. Would he make his presence felt? Of course he would, but why is that such a bad thing? Some people will love him, some people will hate him, but he will bring a winner to Wrigley and baseball headlines to your local paper.
And why is this a bad thing again?
Someone wake Peter Angelos up
I just realized today how bad the Orioles have been for how long. Nine straight losing seasons? The Orioles? That can't be right, can it?
Well, it is. The Orioles, once one of the proudest franchises in baseball, is an afterthought each and every year, and the future doesn't look that much brighter. So an improved Baltimore Orioles team makes baseball better. They have great fans, they have great tradition, they have still one of the most attractive ball parks in the world and they should have the revenues to compete with the big boys in their division.
So how do we get the Orioles back on track? Here are some ideas: Keep Miguel Tejada and build around him. Watch as Nick Markajis grows into a big time baseball star. Bring up James Brucy, a big time, young minor league outfield prospect, and throw him out there. Build your rotation around Eric Bedard and Daniel Cabrera. Build your bullpen around Chris Ray. Aggresively pursue trades that would benefit the team now and in the future. Get a star the fans can identify with.
One move I would love to see? I want to see Jarrod Saltimacchia on the Orioles. He is the next great catching star in this league, a power hitter and a great defensive player. Adding him to the team would give the Orioles another big, young bat, along with Markajis, Brucy and Tejada (who isn't that young anymore at 31, but is still young). Give up a few prospects and get Jason Giambi. At DH, Giambi (35) could still give a team four or even five years of power numbers. Sure, he'll make a trip to the DL every once in a while, but he will hit for power, get on base, is good friends with Miguel Tejada, and can help groom the younger guys, showin them the ropes.
Brian Roberts, new third baseman Nick Markajis, Tejada, Giambi, Saltimacchia, Jay Gibbons, Brucy, Paterson has the makings of a very formidable lineup for years to come, one that would be balanced with home run power, average potential, and a good mix of young players and old vets. Considering the fact that the Yanks and Red Sox have holes, the Orioles making a comeback shoule be a possibility.
You aint gotta go home, but ya gotta get out of here
Tampa Bay needs new ownership and a new home. It amazes me that baseball would look down on Mark Cuban being an owner yet seems to have no problem with an inept ownership group in Tampa that has put together argueably the least appealing franchise in baseball history. There is nothing interesting about the Devil Rays. Tropicana Field is depressing, even to watch a game on television requires a good quanity of prozac. Their uniforms are drab. Their team plays infront of no one. Their fans know they have no chance. And the young, quality players they seem to have never, ever have a chance to stay with the team. More than any other franchise they are in a constant rebuilding mode.
Tampa Bay needs to move. Where? How about Orlando? That keeps baseball in the immediate area, put the team in a bustling town that has supported basketball and should easily be able to support baseball, is a constant attraction for both locals and out of towners, and is swimming in money.
No to Orlando? How about Nashville? Nashville just barely missed out on the Expos when they were moved to DC a few years back. They have the facilities and they seem to have the interest. Baseball would have no competitors in the area, as Nashville baseball would be the only game in town. And, again, it would be a thriving, bustling metropolis compared to Tampa Bay.
The point isn't the place the Rays move to, the point is that they need to move and need to move soon. If baseball could get their act together in the next year or two it might actually be enough time for the Rays to hang onto the likes of Carl Crawford, Delmon Young, BJ Upton, Scott Kazmir, and perhaps even Rocco Baldelli, or at least hang on to enough of them to stay competitive. Of all the teams in major league baseball no other needs a new home more desperately. It is the ONLY hopeless case in the sport.
And as for that other team in Florida.................
As opposed to The Devil Rays the Marlins have tradition. That's right, I said the Marlins have tradition. Think about it, in the last 90+ years of baseball who has more world series championships, the Florida Marlins or the Boston Red Sox? That's right folks, the Marlins have reached the summitt of the baseball world twice since coming into the league in the early 90's. They have put together great teams, and promptly sold those teams off, but they have brought rings and trophies to southern Florida multiple times, and that is something only the Marlins can boast.
So what do they need? Well, the Marlins also need a new home, but unlike the Devil Rays they don't need a new home in a new town. Miami can easily support baseball, and has in the past. They have packed a football stadium, dealt with the Florida rain storms, dealt with the Florida bottom dwellers, watched as teams they grew to love were traded off like beaver pelts in some old barter town of the wild west, and still they have come back. Not in droves, mind you, but they are there.
What the Marlins need is what they have asked for time and time again, a new stadium with a new roof that protects them from the 40+ rain outs they seem to incur every single year. According to reports early this year the Marlins, who have seen their hopes for a new stadium ebb and flow seemingly with every month since 1998, now believe a plan is in place to build a $450 million domed stadium just north of downtown Miami. This would be the perfect scenario.
Now is the time for baseball to step in and try, as hard as they can, to make this happen. They don't need to relocate a team that doesn't need relocation. The tragedy would be if the Marlins left for greener pastures in a town like San Antonio while the devil Rays continued to wallow in the ninth circle of hell called Tropicana Field. Give the Marlins a new ballpark, new revenue stream, an excited fan base, with a base of good players and one of the best farm systems in baseball? Jeffrey Loria, a man destined to become a Steinbrenner or Lucchino or Wilpon (put your money where your mouth is owners) would have the Marlins competing with the Mets and Braves every year for an East title.
Willie McCovey cove? Meet A-Rod alley
During the All Star Break Alex Rodriguez was as giddy as a school boy about the friendly confines of Pac Bell. That isn't shocking, considering how gorgeous that stadium is rumored to be. But A-Rod was overally enthusiastic. He seemed like someone shopping for a new home. And while I count myself as an avid baseball fan, and believe that there is still a very good chance the Yanks open up the wallet for A-Rod at the end of the year, what is honestly BEST for baseball is for A-Rod to trek on over to San Francisco and inject an incredible amount of excitement into that franchise.
Barry Bonds may or may not come back next year, but if he doesn't the Giants will have $22 milll freed up to go after A-Rod. They have the pitching already in place, with Zito not nearly as bad as he has pitched (look for him to rebound in either the second half or next year) Matt Cain poised to be an ace for years and years to come, Tim Lincecum a possible challenger to that ace mantle breaking into his own, and Noah Lowry slated to be one of the most solid number four starters in the league today. Did I mention each one of these guys is under the age of 30? That's not bad looking into the future.
The problem has been, and continues to be offense. Will A-Rod automatically turn the team around? No, they will have to make other moves. But with A-Rod in the starting lineup for the next 7 to 10 years, and the Giants looking at having the two record holders for home runs (A-Rod is gonna pass Barry Bonds eventually, unless he breaks his knee somewhere along the way), the team would have a reason to invest some money in a few other pieces to make the team a competitor in a deep NL West. But the Giants are baseball royalty and having a winning team in the Bay area would be a real asset to baseball as a whole.
Why would A-Rod be perfect? Because he would be one of the biggest stars on a huge stage poised to lead a team that hasn't won a world series in well over 50 years. Sure, he could go to the Cubs, but their future looks bright with or without A-Rod. They are buying into Sweet Lou, have HUGE hitters locked up for years to come, have good pitching in Zambrano (who you have to believe they will lock up eventually), Lilly, Hill and some nice prospects in the minors. They are on the up and up. A-Rod could go to the Angels but, again, the Angels are gonna be in the hunt for AL West titles and world series rings for years to come as well. They have a great nucleus, one of the great minor league systems in the game, big prospects on their way up, and while they would LOVE to have A-Rod, they don't NEED him.
The Giants NEED A-Rod. Let's say they get A-Rod. How about pairing A-Rod with Jermaine Dye, who will be a free agent at the end of the year? A-Rod and Dye could combine for a terrific one-two punch, and it would allow A-Rod to move back to SS, where he desperately wants to play, leaving the door opened for 17-year old phenom 3B Angel Vilalona to make his impact on the majors in the next few years. The Giants can fill in gaps here and there, but with A-Rod and Dye, combined with what should be one of the best pitching staffs in the leagues, the Giants should be players in the division for years and years to come.
Woud they break the bank for two players? Possibly, but if they did baseball would be better off.
So those are the things that need to happen for baseball to really take care of the final loose ends in the sport. Oakland, D.C., Minnesota all have new parks in the works as we speak and all should find new revenues to play with once they are completed. Ken Griffey Jr. SHOULD be traded back to Seattle to finish his career where it started, and a team that seems to be the real deal in terms of making a push for a playoff spot. After that the sport is chugging along and it seems destined to continue it's run of great success. Now, if Bud Selig and the player's union can find a way to stay out of the way and not screw anything up, things could stay this way for a while.
No comments:
Post a Comment