Interesting Blog in Baseball Reference.

[Porter]

Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive » Mulling a different playoff format

Suppose we break the 30 teams into 6 levels, each containing 5 teams. Let's go by 2009 records to determine the levels.

LEVEL 1

Yankees, Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies

LEVEL 2

Rockies, Cardinals, Giants, Rangers, Marlins

LEVEL 3

Twins, Braves, Tigers, Mariners, Rays

LEVEL 4

Cubs, Brewers, White Sox, Reds, Blue Jays

LEVEL 5

Athletics, Padres, Astros, Diamondbacks, Mets

LEVEL 6

Indians, Royals, Orioles, Pirates, Nationals

So here are some thoughts on how such a league would work in 2010 and forward:

* Teams play a fairly unbalanced schedule against mostly teams within their own level. For example, Level 1 teams play 18 games each against the 4 other teams in their level, 6 games each against the teams in Level 2, and 3 games each against the teams in Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6. That's 72 games against Level 1, 30 games against Level 2, and 60 games against Levels 3 through 6, for a total of 162 games.

This would be interesting in some way with the ability to move up and down as needed and give the Natinals a chance to actually win 70 games.

[HollywoodLeo]

That would be stupid because a Level 6 team could wind up with a better record than a Level 1 team because they're playing a much weaker schedule.

You're supposed to get better by building a better team, not because the league gives you a cake schedule.

[Porter]

I left out a lot of what the blog had in details. The comments were as wild to point of a AAA replacing the Royals or Nationals lol.

[Porter]

That would be stupid because a Level 6 team could wind up with a better record than a Level 1 team because they're playing a much weaker schedule.

You're supposed to get better by building a better team, not because the league gives you a cake schedule.

Would it be any different than now. Its an unknown. That will always be an issue in all sports because you never know what the next season will bring or the season its self in general.

[HollywoodLeo]

Would it be any different than now. Its an unknown. That will always be an issue in all sports because you never know what the next season will bring or the season its self in general.

You're right that you never know what the next season will bring in terms of the quality of how well the teams are....which begs the question what's the point?

I like the way the schedule is for the most part and see no reason to make drastic changes.

The inter-league scheduling needs to be tweaked, though. The Padres and Mariners are not rivals. I don't know why baseball thinks they are.

[Porter]

Because really the actual M's rival are the A's. And they are the closest team I believe. I could be wrong.

[HollywoodLeo]

Porter, you're confusing me. I keep thinking you're Saber.

[Porter]

How in the hell could you mix me up with Saber other than the avatar. Oh that's it.

[Foster]

I left out a lot of what the blog had in details. The comments were as wild to point of a AAA replacing the Royals or Nationals lol.

I always thought a system similar to that of the English (FA) that allows for teams to move up and down would be awesome for baseball. Imagine when your local AA team can get some players, win a championship, and move up to AAA. From there, they sign a couple older players, to help put, and bam, before you know it the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are playin in Yankee Stadium.

[Porter]

Thats about as likely as Sam Hornish Jr winning 8 races in 2010.

[HollywoodLeo]

I always thought a system similar to that of the English (FA) that allows for teams to move up and down would be awesome for baseball. Imagine when your local AA team can get some players, win a championship, and move up to AAA. From there, they sign a couple older players, to help put, and bam, before you know it the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are playin in Yankee Stadium.

Screw that.

Teams can improve quicker than you think (2008 Rays for example)

I'd hate to see a team put together a team that can surprise that has zero chance of winning anything other than an invitation to have a chance next year.

You know what other organization does that? College football.

[Porter]

Teams can also fall of the face of the earth (2009 DBacks)

[HollywoodLeo]

Which is more of an argument against it.

With that system we could have one championship caliber team wasting away in the B-league while a shitty team takes up space in the A-league just because of how they played the year before.

[Foster]

No, shitty teams get dropped back down a level.
Washington at this point may be Single A if done right.

[Foster]

Thats about as likely as Sam Hornish Jr winning 8 races in 2010.

I hear they are giving him the only fuel injected car as a teaster for 2011. He may have a chance than.