MLB: ***2026 MLB Season Thread***

Dodgers situation is just annoying. They locked in and INSANE television contract that would never happen today back starting int 2014. 25 years for $8.35 billion. That’s $334 mil a year and at least double any other team. They also have over $1 billion in deferred payments to players under contract to game the current CBA. Built in cheat code of being the favored location in LA for Japanese players coming over.

So they have more cash than any other team and more future debt than any other team, in arguably the most attractive market. So many advantages and they are making full use of it.

Post season is just going to be who in the AL will advance to play them in the World Series.
 


The league is testing out the system at the big league level for the first time after years of experimenting with ABS in the minor leagues. The rules are as follows:

• During the spring, each team will be given two challenges per game and will retain successful challenges.

• Only the batter, catcher or pitcher can initiate a challenge, which must happen immediately after the umpire's call. The player must quickly tap his hat or helmet to indicate a challenge.

• The results of the challenge will be displayed on the scoreboard and television broadcast to communicate whether a call was overturned or not.

The five dual-team stadiums in Arizona -- Seattle Mariners/San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals/Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds/Cleveland Guardians and Colorado Rockies/Arizona Diamondbacks -- will all have the system in use this spring.

The same is true for the eight teams that play in Florida -- Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals/Miami Marlins.

Every game in each of the above stadiums will employ the challenge system. The league plans to gather data throughout the spring in hopes of determining whether the system is ready to bring to the major league level a year from now.
 
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Just break up the blackout rules. That’s all I want to see in my lifetime from pro baseball
Baseball has to enter the 21st century. It's silly to make watching your favorite team(s) so difficult. Especially, when fans are willing to pay to watch your product.

Last spring I purchased Marquee's DTC product because Dubuque is within the Cub's territory. But soon found out since my WIFI ISP (Verizon) connects to the internet using servers around the Midwest (typically Omaha), Marquee thought I was watching games away from home.

I then signed up for MLB's product on a trial and they blacked-out Cubs games because I was within the Cubs territory.

Last year I ended up with FUBOTV. But the reality is I payed $90+ per month over the summer to watch the Cubs, Golf Channel, ESPN+ and CBS/NBC Networks (golf on weekends) seems silly.
 
Baseball has to enter the 21st century. It's silly to make watching your favorite team(s) so difficult. Especially, when fans are willing to pay to watch your product.

Last spring I purchased Marquee's DTC product because Dubuque is within the Cub's territory. But soon found out since my WIFI ISP (Verizon) connects to the internet using servers around the Midwest (typically Omaha), Marquee thought I was watching games away from home.

I then signed up for MLB's product on a trial and they blacked-out Cubs games because I was within the Cubs territory.

Last year I ended up with FUBOTV. But the reality is I payed $90+ per month over the summer to watch the Cubs, Golf Channel & ESPN+ and CBS.NBC Networks (golf on weekends) seems silly.

I’m a Cubs fan, but there is zero chance I’m paying for Marquee. It is not worth it at all in my opinion. I’ll just listen to Pat and Ron.
 
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