faster...get there faster!
“Don't it seem to happen a lot? I mean, don’t it?”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t it seem that lots of guys hit free agency and get big contracts, for a lot of years...and then go all to crap faster than a turkey loses its head at Thanksgiving?”
“You’re right!”
Part of the reason is guys are as old as they are when they hit free agency. Because they make the majors at 23, 24, 25. Add on the years it takes to get to free agency, and many players becoming free agents are getting old in "doggy baseball years".
While the NBA somehow rolls out lots of 19, 20, and 21 year old hoops stars.
You’d think baseball owners would want players to reach the big leagues earlier, so when they then hit free agency earlier, the risk of age-related deterioration for a multi-year deal is lessened.
How to accomplish that? I dunno...maybe...
PLAY LONGER MINORS SEASONS.
After all...
Why was Pete Alonso ready for opening day 2019?
At least in part because he played A WHOLE LOT in 2018.
In fact, between the minors and Arizona Fall ball in 2018, he played 159 games.
Cal Ripken told me that is equal to a full real major league season (for almost anyone not named Cal, that is).
Which got me to thinking...
Rookie ball?
Why did the Gulf Coast League Mets play only 54 games? ( I think the schedule was for 60 but the season was rain-shortened).
Why did the Gulf Coast League Mets play only 54 games? ( I think the schedule was for 60 but the season was rain-shortened).
Appalachian League? 68 games.
NY Penn League? 76 games.
Why not run those 3 leagues for 90 games?
Heck, yeah. Right to the end of September.
I know Macks Mets' minor league aficionado John from Albany would love that. Now, how about..
Full season ball?
S. Atlantic League? 136 games.
FSL? 136 games, too.
Eastern League? 140 games.
AAA? 140 games.
Why not have all of those three full season leagues go 162 games?
Continue right on into late September?
You would probably need some more pitchers, to not over-tax pitchers’ arms in an expanded season, but if the best hitters had an additional 50 or so games over a 3 year span, 75 more games over 4 years, they might be ready a half season to a full season sooner.
And a half to a full season YOUNGER.
And get another half to full season out of them at the major league level before age related decline by free agency time catches up with them.
I imagine minor league players would like to get to the big leagues a half to a full season sooner...so...
Why not lengthen those short minor league seasons?
8 comments:
A few thoughts...
1. If I could do high school in 4 years, I could play minor league ball in the same amount of years.
2. However, reducing minor league teams to 4 would take away baseball for so many small towns that live on this stuff
3. I like your idea of raising the amount of games for short season teams. I would go a step more. Open their schedule on May 1st.
4. Have a more aggressive approach when promoting these kids from one level to another. Don't be afraid of stepping on a little toes and sending a marginal player down a level. Recognize the cream at the top.
I agree on aggressive promotions, to go along with longer seasons.
Thought short season leagues were designed to accommodate June draft signees, no?
Homie, yes. But they could start one or two of the short leagues sooner, too, since 2/3 of the 3 short seasons are not current year draftees.
But I see no reason to change the start dates, I would extend the season end dates until the end of September. Weather’s fine, so why not?
So go without (or satiny dump) 1/3 of your squad until draft signings? Nah.
Extend thru Sept? Too much competition from FB... though I wouldn't mind some more "elite" leagues like AZ (say one for AAA/AA, 1 for A/A- & 1 for the Rooks). Short, maybe round robin play them dbl elim playoffs.
Thinking about it more: select team from NLE AAA & AA affiliates to compete against 5 other similar staffed "Division Teams."
Significant &$$ for participants too.
Wdyt?
Tom, like the idea of longer minor seasons but worry like Hobie that it may be too much.
Hobie, your Division team sounds like the current Arizona fall league set up where players from different MLB teams play together on one team.
Taking from both of your ideas, I'd rather see a return of the Florida Fall league where the best minor league Mets players were on one team. The best of these drilled fundamentals the entire session. Keith Hernandez writes about it in his recent book. More players play and teams get to teach skills. This model was replaced with the more cost effective Arizona model. I think that's the direction MLB wants to go. Would not be surprised to see MLB replace much of the minors with an Arizona model in the future. The 2021 contraction and the end of 40 man regular season rosters will be the future trend.
As long as you have teams owned by other entities, the main gripe with this plan is attendance. I have worked for a NY-Penn league team for several summers and once Labor Day hits, attendance drops off the table. Playoff games during September are pathetically attended, no matter how important the game. Owners of most minor league teams would require incentive--maybe the incentive being we could eliminate you with all these other teams if you don't like it. Your idea makes sense, but the people who open the doors for these games have other ideas. Besides losing most of their fans, many teams lose the majority of their employees who go back to high school, college, or teaching positions.
METSILVERMAN, great insights. Thanks for that.
Certainly, back to school can disrupt fan base and employees alike.
One alternative that would work around that would be a forgotten baseball scheduling gem, the Sunday scheduled doubleheader.
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