Major League Baseball has a real problem coming up
Major League Baseball has a real problem on its hands. And it is not paying any attention to the issue.
Understandably, Major League Baseball is concerned with attracting younger fans. While the sport is doing well currently, being able to court the youth is considered vital as the game continues forth. The question, however, is how to get their attention, and keep them interested in the games being played.
Naturally, the focus has fallen upon the pace of play. Yes, games are getting long, and no one really wants to watch three pitching changes in a half of an inning. Ideas like a pitch clock may well prove to be a great way to make the games move along. Ideas like eliminating the intentional walk just are not enough.
Unfortunately, the focus is on the wrong aspect of the game. No one cares that NFL games are routinely over three hours. NBA fans do not complain all that much about the final two minutes taking a lifetime to finish. The reason is that, for the most part, teams in these leagues are doing their best to reach the postseason.
That is not the case in Major League Baseball. After watching the success that teams like the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros had after tanking, this has become the rebuilding method of choice. The Tampa Bay Rays moved on from franchise icon Evan Longoria. The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, and may well move anything that is not nailed down. Derek Jeter and the Miami Marlins nuked any support from their fanbase and went on a fire sale so drastic that even Jeffrey loria would be ashamed. A full ten teams may be heading into the 2018 campaign without a legitimate chance to contend.
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On the other side of the coin, the rich keep getting richer. The Yankees have landed Giancarlo Stanton. Houston, fresh off their World Series victory, acquired Cole, who is likely to be their fourth starter. The Angels not only improved their infield dramatically, but landed Shohei Ohtani and Kevin Maitan, building their present and future at once.
That is where Major League Baseball is going to lose fans. While a fanbase is willing to stick through the hard times if there is a viable chance for a title in the future, then a few difficult years are worth the payout. But how many of these teams are actually going to contend in the next two or three years? For some franchises, the rebuild will continue indefinitely.
Those problems are also extending to the offseason. Top free agents like J.D. Martinez, Yu Darvish, and Eric Hosmer remain unsigned. Although their salary demands may have a bit to do with their ongoing unemployment, the fact that a third of the league is already out of contention before Spring Training is problematic as well. Why spend the money if the franchise won’t contend anyway? It may cost the team two or three games, and a spot in the draft.
So, how to fix this problem? That is the multi-billion dollar question that the league and the Player’s Union will have to face. There have been rumblings of collusion driving down the market, but that is not the elephant in the room. Instead, the economic model of the game, and a lack of a salary floor, as well as a cap, may have to come into focus.
Next: Josh Harrison trade destinations
Major League Baseball has a problem. And it is not the pace of play.