It seemingly is a paradox, but upon closer examination, it makes sense. Today's top players are among the best in baseball history, but today's teams are among the worst ever.
Albert Pujols, Evan Longoria, Alex Rodriguez, Joey Hamilton, Robinson Cano, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulotwitski, Joey Votto, Ichiro Suzuki and Ryan Howard, in no particular order, can hold their own with the greatest hitters of all time.
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez, Tim Lincecum, Jon Lester, Josh Johnson, CC Sabathia, a healthy Adam Wainright and Matt Cain, again in no particular order, are outstanding pitchers who would excel in any era.
The problem is that there are few outstanding teams.
The defending world champion San Francisco Giants are offensively challenged. The Colorado Rockies, like most of the top teams—including New York's other team, the New York Yankees—lack pitching depth.
It is extremely early, but the highly touted Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies have glaring weaknesses. The Sox have a questionable bullpen as well as an offense that was most likely overrated. The Phillies miss Jason Werth terribly and unfortunately may not have Chase Utley this season.
Major League Baseball must make the logical, radical changes.
The Florida Marlins and the Seattle Mariners must be disbanded.
There must be realignment and this will not sit well with older, conservative fans (like me), but some teams must change leagues.
There should be four divisions, each consisting of seven teams.
One American League division might consist of:
American League East
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Phillies
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals
New York Mets
The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry continues, the Yankees-Mets rivalry is expanded, and the Mets-Red Sox is a natural.
The Mets-Phillies hate each other, while the Yankees and Phillies have developed real animosity the last few seasons.
The Orioles and Washington rivalry would become more intense. Travel expenses would decrease.
The second American League division:
American League Central
Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers
Texas Rangers
Houston Astros
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
The rivalry between the Indians and Reds demands Cincinnati changes leagues. The Cubs and White Sox would approach the Yankees-Mets competition, as might the Rangers and Astros.
All American League teams are east of the Rocky Mountains, which would produce great savings in transportation and help combat global warming.
The first National League Division:
National League Central
Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
TampaBay
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
The Braves used to play in Milwaukee. Now they would be the "hated visitors" more frequently. The Cardinals and Royals fans will feed off the Missouri rivalry.
The second National League Division:
National League West
San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Oakland A's
Los Angeles Angels
This division would have the Giants-Dodgers, the Giants-A's, and the Dodgers-Angels.
Of course, the players union would present tremendous opposition to the elimination of between 50 and 60 jobs, but expanding the rosters by one player, while partially defeating the purpose of contraction, will probably be necessary.
Other steps, such as raising the minimum salary and/or solidifying and not attacking arbitration, could be taken.
The above is merely a beginning. There are flaws, but the major premise is solid. The elimination of two teams is necessary.
It doesn't have to be the two teams selected here. The placement of teams may be modified. Other changes might be suggested, but changes are necessary.
Other issues will be addressed in the next article.
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