2011 MLB Season Thread

[Lights Out]

I'd move the Blue Jays to the NL. It's inexcusable for a team in a large media market (and the league's only international market) to be allowed to languish unnoticed in the extremely imbalanced AL East.

[dfwabel]

#1: I think that this should (the story on realignment) should have its own thread.

#2: I have no clue who should move to the AL.

[Seadragon76]

I'd move the Blue Jays to the NL. It's inexcusable for a team in a large media market (and the league's only international market) to be allowed to languish unnoticed in the extremely imbalanced AL East.

But, wouldn't they get just as little attention in the NL East if they were moved there? I mean, with the Phillies, Mets, and Braves in the same division and all.

If anyone should move (back) to the AL, it's Milwaukee. It makes sense.

[Lights Out]

The Jays would have more of a chance of winning things in the weaker NL East. People forget this now because they're buried under a Yankees/Sawx/Rays avalanche of publicity, but the Jays are a proud franchise with a solid history. If they were to move to the NL and start winning, they'd get attention again.

[Don]

I'd move the Blue Jays to the NL. It's inexcusable for a team in a large media market (and the league's only international market) to be allowed to languish unnoticed in the extremely imbalanced AL East.

But, wouldn't they get just as little attention in the NL East if they were moved there? I mean, with the Phillies, Mets, and Braves in the same division and all.

If anyone should move (back) to the AL, it's Milwaukee. It makes sense.

*sniff*

[YessSir32]

#1: I think that this should (the story on realignment) should have its own thread.

#2: I have no clue who should move to the AL.

#1: agreed

#2: it would most likely be the Houston Astros.

[HedleyLamarr]

A couple things about tonight's Braves-Astros game:

1. Dan Uggla had a multi-hit game and got on base four times. That's cause for a parade.

2. Hunter Pence has got to have the ugliest form of running and throwing I've ever seen in baseball....

[TBGKon]

#1: I think that this should (the story on realignment) should have its own thread.

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://boards.sportslogos.net/index.php?showtopic=80766&pid=1564231&st=0entry1564231

[dfwabel]

A couple things about tonight's Braves-Astros game:

1. Dan Uggla had a multi-hit game and got on base four times. That's cause for a parade.

2. Hunter Pence has got to have the ugliest form of running and throwing I've ever seen in baseball....

Thanks for reminding me Hedley.

Uggla is really earning that 5 year for $62M contract Tank, right? Not that his current numbers would justify the 4 for $48M which the Marlins offered him.

[BLUELANDbeliever]

getting sick and tired of 2 things:

1. Braves having to go to extra innings all the damn time.

2. Uggla and being under .200!

[mania]

Oh yeah, this'll be great for rivalries. Imagine the the great A's/ Astros match-upzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... sorry, I just fell asleep.

Isn't that EVERY Astros game, though? I'm sure when the Pirates or Brewers come to town it gets a lot more intense than games against the Angels or A's would be. So much more intense.

Why not send the Rockies to the AL? I wouldn't mind the Astros taking their place in the NL West.

An unlisted reason on this would be to help out the Rangers with their travel schedule, how they are the only team in baseball to play all of their divisional road games in another time zone, and in this case, two time zones over. The Rockies would only be one by comparison but I'm sure they want more CST start times, it's better for the team's TV deal, better for the team, etc.

[FiddySicks]

I'd be all in favor of swapping the Rockies to the AL West and the Astros to the NL West. That way there wouldn't be two Texas teams in the same division.

[McCall]

Swap Rockies (or D-Backs even) to the AL West with Texas coming over to the NL. Change the NL to 4 divisions of 4 with Houston and Texas in an NL south with Atlanta and Miami. Yeah they'd travel in the other direction but only one time zone and they are actually closer to the east. Then the West in both leagues would be geographically improved.

[McCall]

I'd be all in favor of swapping the Rockies to the AL West and the Astros to the NL West. That way there wouldn't be two Texas teams in the same division.

So are you saying 6 NL West teams? (Just trying to make sure of what you're saying)

One thing would be to make the NL 6-6-4, with the AL staying 5-5-4. I believe Triple A does that or did that. Just another scenario.

[NEW.ERA]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

[McCall]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

[NEW.ERA]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Well good drafting helps. The Jays had to endure J.P. Ricardi for like what 10 years.

[McCall]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Well good drafting helps. The Jays had to endure J.P. Ricardi for like what 10 years.

Hire better people and draft/sign better players.

[Eye]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Yeah they can.

Yes, Tampa Bay won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years, but almost all the moves they have made have been the right ones, whether it is through the draft, a trade or free agency. If Tampa Bay screwed up once, it may have set them back for years, whereas the Yankees or Red Sox can fix a terrible decision more easily and in some cases, completely.

Tampa Bay and Toronto can win the division, sure, but because of how MLB is currently structured, they have to be perfect or near perfect in ALL of their decision making regarding signings and payroll.

Regardless, I'd be cool if nobody complained about anything though.

[loogodude90]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Yeah they can.

Yes, Tampa Bay won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years, but almost all the moves they have made have been the right ones, whether it is through the draft, a trade or free agency. If Tampa Bay screwed up once, it may have set them back for years, whereas the Yankees or Red Sox can fix a terrible decision more easily and in some cases, completely.

Tampa Bay and Toronto can win the division, sure, but because of how MLB is currently structured, they have to be perfect or near perfect in ALL of their decision making regarding signings and payroll.

That's life though, isn't it? You get rewarded for making the right moves. In baseball, in anything. But those with more resources (whether it's more money, more power, whatever) are better able to weather setbacks or mistakes, where as those who aren't so lucky, aren't. Simple as that.

I'm an O's fan, but I never complain about being in the AL East. I like the challenge. And if and when the O's ever win the division again, it will be that much sweeter.