Baseball - International expansion or contraction?

[CF DolFan]

I read an article this morning and it mentioned this subject.  White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was asked about the possibility of International expansion and he said if it was up to him, he would contract two teams and not expand.

My question is what do you think would help baseball more .... contracting two teams and maximizing talent or expanding overseas to draw more fans? 

[Phishfan]

I do not like expansion overseas (in any sport Mr. Goodell). The logistics of travel are too much of an issue. Especially considering how many games baseball plays in a week.

[Landshark]

I wouldn't mind an expansion into a Central American country.  Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic come to mind.  I agree with Phish on overseas expansion.

[Phishfan]

I'm taking a guess that you did not do well in geography class.

[Brian Fein]

Um, isn't Toronto already an international team?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I do not like expansion overseas (in any sport Mr. Goodell). The logistics of travel are too much of an issue. Especially considering how many games baseball plays in a week.

I would think it would be less of an issue in baseball than football.  Although I might go with longer series.  E.g play 6-8 games in a row instead of 3 or 4.

[Phishfan]

^^^ Unless they change things up, I would think it is more of an issue. In football the amount of equipment and people are a problem, sure. I was thinking more along the lines of rest/practice time though. Football plays one game a week (unless you get on the Thursday game after a Sunday). Baseball has a couple series with different teams a week. There would be virtually no rest time if they had to fly from LA to (let's use anywhere in Europe as an example) for a three game series and then had to be back to the US for another three games that same week.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

There would be virtually no rest time if they had to fly from LA to (let's use anywhere in Europe as an example) for a three game series and then had to be back to the US for another three games that same week.

Than the scheduler needs to be fired. 

LA road trip to London.

Home
3 games @ Boston
4 games @ London
3 game @ New York
3 games @ Chicago
Home.

The flight from Boston to London is no worse than the flight from LA to Boston. 

[Brian Fein]

^^ they do this now, that's why the east coast teams will go to the west coast and play the dodgers, padres, giants and rockies all within 2 weeks and then come home again.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^ exactly why it wouldn't be a big deal.  Particularly if you had a couple of teams near each other.  E.g. London & Paris

[CF DolFan]

I think most people realize it can be done ... as with football. I just wonder if it would help the overall league or actually hurt it by diluting it further to a more broad audience? I don't know if Europeans jump on board which would increase revenue or if it would struggle to sell?

[BigDaddyFin]

It can be done, but I'd rather see MLB contract before it starts with international expansion.  Plus where the hell are you going to get enough international players to make people in Paris and London come out for the games?  You'd be better off expanding into say the Dominican and Central America, maybe Japan and Asia than into Europe.  But now you have to have a 12 team playoff because eight isn't enough, they'll need to formulate a third league, and if you think the season is too long already, look out because we're now going to maybe 200 games instead of 162.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

I'm taking a guess that you did not do well in geography class.

 

I thought the same thing.  "None of which are in Central America".

[tepop84]

it would make more sense to contact 2 teams, since one league has 16 teams, and one league has 14 teams.

[MaineDolFan]

MLB has always had an eye on the D.R. on PR as a landing spot for a new team.  This is as "international" as they would ever think of becoming.  They are already in those regions now with winter ball, the fan base would not need a lot of grooming. 

I go back and forth with myself on contraction.  For every two teams you pick, I could come up with a very good presentation of why those teams should remain where they are (or, at best, relocated).  I know the "easy" targets are Miami and Tampa, however I really think the long term plan in Miami could work.  You don't need to sell out every night to have a successful franchise in MLB.  Tampa Bay couldn't put a better product on the field.  The fan base in that area isn't able to support that team.  Contraction of a very successful team makes no sense, especially when many factors come into play why they don't draw (including the stadium itself, the location, the economic factors of the region, etc).

I'm not worried about travel, because travel to the DR or PR would not be worse than a Boston to Seattle flight.  Anyone who has done that nightmare at 11pm knows what I am talking about.  I don't know if those regions could support a team (poverty wise), I'm a little under educated about both regions in this area.  I know the popularity of the game is sky high in both areas.

When it comes down to "let's get rid of two teams" talk...great.  Sounds good.  Which two?  Because, at one point in time, I could have made a stance for the White Sox to be in the mix for those discussions.

What say you?