***2023-24 MLB Off-Season Thread***

[BigJCy]

Opening Day now just 2 days away so figured I would start this thread up.

See some of the different sites "experts" are making their Season Predictions. Here are the ones from MLB.com:

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I don't think people are making a big enough deal out of the new balanced schedule. Huge change.

The East and West Division teams having to playing 20 less division games and getting more games against both Central Divisions is going to bump everybody's records up and make it much, much harder for a Central Division team to ever get a wild card. A team like the Brewers is going to have go like 10-4 against the Cubs, Reds and Pirates to even get themselves into shouting distance.

 

[4cy16]

Oakland and Pittsburgh have officially been eliminated from the playoff race.

 

[hobbsfan27]

Lol. Those experts picked the exact same field for playoffs as 2022. Just do not think that happens. GO twins!

 

[BigJCy]

Oakland and Pittsburgh have officially been eliminated from the playoff race.

Washington might be even worse than those 2. Probably for sure worse than Pittsburgh.

 

[BigJCy]

I don't think people are making a big enough deal out of the new balanced schedule. Huge change.

The East and West Division teams having to playing 20 less division games and getting more games against both Central Divisions is going to bump everybody's records up and make it much, much harder for a Central Division team to ever get a wild card. A team like the Brewers is going to have go like 10-4 against the Cubs, Reds and Pirates to even get themselves into shouting distance.

Agree. As a fan I like it because I got tired of watching 18-19 games vs. the same team. At least now you get to see your team play everybody at least 1 series.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Agree. As a fan I like because I got tired of watching 18-19 games vs. the same team. At least now you get to see your team play everybody at least 1 series.

Agreed. Great for the fans but bad for small market owners that have convinced themselves they can't spend money.

 

[BigJCy]

Agreed. Great for the fans but bad for small market owners that have convinced themselves they can't spend money.

Yep, and look where some of those teams show up in these rankings:

 

[somecyguy]

Yep, and look where some of those teams show up in these rankings:

Those A's numbers are criminal.

 

[stormchaser2014]

Brewers!

 

[cmjh10]

Yep, and look where some of those teams show up in these rankings:

You could maybe argue that all this small market bs is hurting baseball more than the time of the game. When you have organizations that obviously and blatantly refuse to field a competitive team for years, it really hinders and limits your growth, IMO

 

[cmjh10]

You could maybe argue that all this small market bs is hurting baseball more than the time of the game. When you have organizations that obviously and blatantly refuse to field a competitive team for years, it really hinders and limits your growth, IMO

Saying this though, the thing I love about baseball more so than other sports is there are different ways to win. Wanna buy a ‘ship? Yankees of old, want to tank and develop young talent? Rays. Then varying degrees of anything in between.

 

[3TrueFans]

I don’t watch much baseball, but I would like to watch more, and I’m intrigued by the pitch clock. The little bit of spring training I’ve seen really seems like there’s a flow to the game, the reduced downtime is amazing.

 

[3TrueFans]

Also mlb.tv is free for the season if you’re a T-Mobile customer.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Oakland and Pittsburgh have officially been eliminated from the playoff race.

Colorado also. Not even going to bother watching this year. Roster is a joke.

 

[BigJCy]

I don’t watch much baseball, but I would like to watch more, and I’m intrigued by the pitch clock. The little bit of spring training I’ve seen really seems like there’s a flow to the game, the reduced downtime is amazing.

Yep, I'm a fan of it think it will be good for the sport/fans. Won't miss the shift either.

 

[CloneIce]

I don't think people are making a big enough deal out of the new balanced schedule. Huge change.

The East and West Division teams having to playing 20 less division games and getting more games against both Central Divisions is going to bump everybody's records up and make it much, much harder for a Central Division team to ever get a wild card. A team like the Brewers is going to have go like 10-4 against the Cubs, Reds and Pirates to even get themselves into shouting distance

From a fan perspective- it will be different, but I think he will be fun to play more games against a wider variety of teams.

Opening day is almost here - I can’t freaking wait! Love baseball season. Going to my first game of the year next week.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Yep, and look where some of those teams show up in these rankings:

None of the teams are losing money, its nothing but creative bookkeeping that is showing loses. Much like a lot of large corporations, they are making money, and have farmed out other assists that do not show up under the team. Look at St. Louis, the ownership group owns the team and the stadium, but they also own Ballpark Village across the street and run parking around the stadium except for the two parking garages across the street. On paper they are not making much money, but when you throw in all revenues of money coming in, they are clearing 10's of million each season.

 

[BigJCy]

ESPN "experts" Season & Awards predictions:

2023 MLB predictions: From playoffs and World Series to MVPs and Cy Youngs

Can the Padres go all the way? Will Ohtani win MVP? Our experts make their predictions for the 2023 baseball season.

www.espn.com

 

[BigJCy]