The Rays have been given permission to explore splitting home games between TB & MTL

[TheHurl]

The low attendance for a winning team in '94 reminds me of the current Rays. So if not Montreal, where would it make sense to relocate the team? Will Vancouver ever have a shot, or is it always going to be dogged by the proximity to Seattle (as with Hamilton when they wanted an NHL team)?

 

Charlotte is the most logical. Growing population, top 25 TV market, good corporate city and they lead the minors in attendance every year as well. But they just built the minor league stadium in 2014 and it can't be expanded. They want an MLS team, and rolling them out together with a new multi sport facility would be feasible.

 

I'm not sure about Vancouver and Seattle's proximity and if they would cause trouble.

 

I do believe that Tampa Bay deserves a chance to have the team in their actual city before relocation happens. What would the Jays draw if their games were played in Mississauga?

[DigitalRock]

This could effect the Jay's. Rays are a way better org. Will lose some fans.

[AdamGreenwood]

Teams that go back to cities after a first failed attempt almost always do better, because:

 

The young generation: 16-30 go to anything new, just to be a part of things.

The previous generation is going to want to go, as they have fond memories of it (something the Expos didn't have going for them the first time around).

 

The dollar is better than it was then, and the Canadiens haven't sniffed a Stanley Cup since before the Expos moved.

 

I think the team could do well. Montreal is often cited as the best location for a new expansion team.

[Spanky99]

Teams that go back to cities after a first failed attempt almost always do better, because:

 

The young generation: 16-30 go to anything new, just to be a part of things.

The previous generation is going to want to go, as they have fond memories of it (something the Expos didn't have going for them the first time around).

 

The dollar is better than it was then, and the Canadiens haven't sniffed a Stanley Cup since before the Expos moved.

 

I think the team could do well. Montreal is often cited as the best location for a new expansion team.

 

It won't happen until '27, long ways to go.

[Jonn]

A Downtown Stadium in Montreal would be fantastic. It would be destination. They don’t want another dome. They would settle for some kind of hybrid retractable roof. But people in Montreal want to be outside in the summer. Best city in Canada in my opinion. Gorgeous in the summer and amazing night life. You can walk pretty much anywhere downtown. Players would love it there. Clear out before winter. Would work out very nicely.

[wk680]

Would baseball fly in Nashville?

 

Their triple A team draw well, so seems like a decent possibility. Other options (along with Charlotte, mentioned above) are Las Vegas and Portland (apparently they have a group there working hard to make it happen like in Montreal)

[Abomination]

Their triple A team draw well, so seems like a decent possibility. Other options (along with Charlotte, mentioned above) are Las Vegas and Portland (apparently they have a group there working hard to make it happen like in Montreal)

 

Move the Rays to Montreal, add LV and Portland as expansion teams, and bring out a balanced schedule where all teams play each other 5 times a year (alternating home/road advantage each year). You'd reduce the number of games by 2 for the year, but that's fine.

[Bobthe4th]

Move the Rays to Montreal, add LV and Portland as expansion teams, and bring out a balanced schedule where all teams play each other 5 times a year (alternating home/road advantage each year). You'd reduce the number of games by 2 for the year, but that's fine.

 

Increasing to 32 teams and playing everyone 5 times = 155 games. But IMO that’s still not enough of a reduction to compensate for the increased travel.

[Abomination]

Increasing to 32 teams and playing everyone 5 times = 155 games.

 

Uh, no it isn't.

 

As far as increased travel goes though, that's a fair point.

[Bobthe4th]

Uh, no it isn't.

 

As far as increased travel goes though, that's a fair point.

 

You can’t play against yourself mate, 32 teams = 31 teams to be played 5 times each. 31 x 5 = 155 games.

[Abomination]

You can’t play against yourself mate, 32 teams = 31 teams to be played 5 times each. 31 x 5 = 155 games.

 

Yep, just gonna go hide in a corner for a bit. Nothing to see here.

[Carlos Danger]

Would baseball fly in Nashville?

 

Yes!! Huge growth, very up and coming dynamic city.

[TheHurl]

also no one wants to see more 2 game series.

[Abomination]

also no one wants to see more 2 game series.

 

It's not THAT big a deal. You could always have 5 game series, alternating home teams every year.

[Dick_Pole]

Abomination must have been on the spanky sauce last night. In no universe will the league like the Yankees coming into Fenway five times a decade.

 

I like the idea of 32 teams, I just really hope that the league doesn't go with an 8x4 division format like the NFL. 4x8 with a less imbalanced schedule works well.

 

Also Montreal is an NL team. If Montreal gets the Rays, the Senators err, Nationals should switch leagues with them. I like everything how it was back in the 1970's.

[wk680]

Abomination must have been on the spanky sauce last night. In no universe will the league like the Yankees coming into Fenway five times a decade.

 

I like the idea of 32 teams, I just really hope that the league doesn't go with an 8x4 division format like the NFL. 4x8 with a less imbalanced schedule works well.

 

Also Montreal is an NL team. If Montreal gets the Rays, the Senators err, Nationals should switch leagues with them. I like everything how it was back in the 1970's.

 

Yeah, I agree MLB would not want to lose so may Yankees/Red Sox or Giants/Dodgers type matchups. But the current intra-division situation seems a little over-done. If they ended up with 32 teams split into 2 Conferences, each with two 8 team divisions; I would suggest:

12 games against each of the 7 divisional rivals = 84 games

6 games against each of the 8 teams in the the other division in the conference 8 x 6 = 48 games

4 games (2 away and 2 home) against each of the teams in one of the divisions in the other conference (alternate years) = 8 x 4 = 32 games

total games 84 + 48 + 32 = 164

 

NOW what is the post-season format!?

[Carlos Danger]

The counter is (IF) Montreal got a team (Huge Mistake, not going to happen) and they were in the NL.. IF there was a Jays vs Montreal World Series it would be a disaster for ratings for MLB and the networks.. Horrible ratings, equals less revenue for owners... Not going to happen.. Trust me! Big Mistake!