MLB is working toward a schedule solution that will get another team into the playoffs next year and give the top seed in the league a first-round bye. But right now it's a logistical nightmare - fitting in essence another round of playoffs as the date of Game 1 of the World Series is set (it's supposed to be Oct. 24, in case you want to mark your calendar). And if there are tiebreakers, it creates a whole other level of travel headache possibilities. But Bud Selig says he believes they'll get a plan done.
Baseball will try to spin this as a great thing, giving hope to more cities and teams to make a playoff run. And mathematically, that's true.
But that's the only development this offseason that's been good for small-market teams. Because as long as teams don't have to share their local TV money, the de facto MLB caste system is getting worse. And because sports programming is what one observer calls "the glue" to cable TV these days, the rights fees are exploding. But generally, only for the big markets.
Just look at the player contracts this offseason. After a couple of seasons of modest contract growth during the recession, the money is really flowing to star players again. And it's not just free agents such as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Tim Lincecum isn't even eligible for free agency, and he'll be paid $18 million this year and $22 million in 2003. Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury went from making $2.4 million in 2011 to more than $8 million during the pre-arbitration negotiation process. New Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey, who made $465,000 with the A's, will make $3.9 million from the Red Sox in his third season. No wonder the A's couldn't afford him, nor Gio Gonzalez, nor Trevor Cahill. We're getting to the point where teams like the A's can only afford rookies and marginal major leaguers.
In the American League, a poverty line is becoming visible.
The haves: Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Rangers.
The have-nots: Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays, Indians, Royals, Twins, Mariners, A's and perhaps the White Sox. (The White Sox and Orioles might be considered middle class based on the markets. But it's a dwindling middle class.)
Would it be any surprise that if the five-team format comes online in 2012, that those five above teams will be the playoff representatives?
It would an upset if they're not.
Related: You make the call -- how to restore economic balance in baseball
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