The Toronto Blue Jays have been toiling in mediocrity for the better part of 2 decades now. They have consistently finished 6th-8th in the American League for many years now. That is not success. After all, if they don't make the playoffs, how can it be a success? With Major League Baseball evidently poised to announce a 2nd wild card position, will that really change how "successful" the Jays will be? I don't think so.
Finishing 5th in the AL is no easy task. Ignoring the other 2 divisions and the potential wild card teams there, the Jays are going to have to finish ahead of at least one of the Yankees, Red Sox or Rays. It will not be an easy task to pick up a wild card spot when 1/3 of our games are against these 3 teams, arguably 3 of the best in MLB.
But does it matter? I am not a fan of the new proposed wild card format. Under the new system, the 2 wild card teams will play off in a 1-game elimination game. The winner will move on to play the 1st place team in the AL in the divisional series. This new system places the wild card team at such a massive disadvantage, what's the point? Are we going to be happy if the Jays get to play 163 instead of 162 games?
For argument's sake, let us assume the Blue Jays make the playoffs in the 5th position. And let us assume they play the Red Sox. With the importance of the game, we'll roll out Romero. We win. We're now going to take on the Yankees, or Rangers, or Angels, without our ace. Perhaps, with a tired bullpen. Good luck.
This isn't specific to the Jays. Wild card teams don't typically have more than 1 or 2 high end starters. That first place team is already advantaged by earning home field advantage. This is another way to tip the scales to their advantage. Because this format doesn't allow a 5th team into the playoffs, it hurts the 4th place team and makes it so difficult to knock off the top team, it's ridiculous.
But is that what MLB really wants? It gives the league another playoff game, eg. more revenue. It increases the likelihood of the top team moving on. When that top team is often the Yankees, Red Sox, or another high profile team, that is enormous for MLB. They want that team moving on. They don't want the Blue Jays moving on.
The idea of a 2nd wild card team is, on the surface, an exciting prospect for Jays fans. It definitely increases the likelihood we'll make the playoffs. But it actually hinders the possibility of the Jays moving beyond the divisional series. Unless the Jays win the AL East, the new wild card format will do nothing but hurt the Blue Jays.
Interesting slant. I agree that the presence of a pitcher like Velander, Kershaw, Halladay and the like will really make opposing teams in these "quasi" playoff games shake in their boots. That said...this isn't revenue from 1 additional game, it's an extra month of "meaningful baseball" in the city of Toronto. The kind of baseball and hope that this city so desperately yearns. Fans will flock at a "playoff run"....Rogers will rejoice. Payroll for 2013 will be $93 million.
ReplyDeleteI think we're agreeing on the same point. It could translate to more money for the Jays, as they make a push for the playoffs. But that means more money for the league. Long run, it could translate into Rogers spending more money. I hope so. But the league passing this off as an opportunity for more teams in the playoffs is horsesh*t. It's 1 extra game, and a decreased chance of the big ticket teams being knocked off in the early rounds. Financially, I think it's ingenious by MLB.
DeleteI'm excited about the addition of another wild card, and the prospect of meaningful baseball for the Jays in August. Not sure if you guys heard the audio this week of Morosi on Brady and Lang saying that he thinks that Selig (and the league) put this in place with Toronto specifically in mind. Not sure if I buy that it was JUST for Toronto but more so for teams LIKE Toronto that are (or will) be very good teams that won't make the playoffs because of they're effing division. Regardless, I like it. It gives fans more hope. Lets be honest, most of us will go to the games in the second have regardless but its 'the others' that need to have a reason to flock to the convertible in August and September.
ReplyDeleteWhy not change the scheduling? I don't understand the purpose of playing SO many games against divisional rivals. We play 72 games against the Yanks, Red Sox, Rays and Orioles. Decrease that, play more games against other AL teams, and it would balance the playing field in terms of allowing the proper teams into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteYes. Chacin, I TOTALLY agree with you! Do you think that a balanced schedule would make the playing field more fair? I would love to see teams like Minnesota, Detroit, Kansas City, and Seattle play us more than they do right now. Not just because they're sub .500 teams, but that would be an added bonus hahahaha Yes, there would be more travel miles for the club, but who cares? The Jays play AL East teams 18 times each I believe. That's a significant amount of games against two of the top teams in the AL. Maybe we're just complaining, but its easy to do...
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