Expansion Discussion Thread

[24Rocks]

Are we keeping to 4 playoff spots - and if so how will these be decided if in divisions (automatic 2 per division or division winners and 2 others with best records so 3 teams from one division could make it?)

We currently have 3 spots per league (division champs plus 2 wildcards).

I would be fine keeping 3 teams per league or adding a 4th playoff team since there will be 2 extra teams per league.

Also is it possible schedule-wise to have a balanced schedule with no divisions and two subleagues of 10 teams or will we have to move to 2 divisions of 5 teams in each subleague?

2017 will be played with interleague play which is another wrinkle in the schedule making for next year.

Any thoughts guys?

I'm all for adding a 4th playoff team per league - then there is no bye in the playoffs. I prefer the 2 division winners plus 2 wildcards who can come from either division.

This means I prefer to have 2 divisions per sub-league, it builds up greater rivalries.

I argee with this because it lets the first team heal from injurys and then our rivalries will bulid up because games will be a must win in some divisions

[BaseballAddict32]

me too. 2 leagues, 2 divisions each and all 4 division champs make it plus two wild cards from each league regardless of division.

[RaySwalleyGM]

Yeah I think Divisions and 4 playoff spots would be the easiest and best way to set it up.

For what my 2 cents is worth haha.

[fhomess]

I would actually prefer to keep the 3 playoff teams per league with a bye for the league winner.  I prefer smaller playoffs and feel like the road to climb from the bottom of a large division to a playoff contender should be harder to make in one season.

However, if we're going to have 4 playoff teams, then I prefer the two division format with the top two teams from each division making it.  That keeps the rivalries within the division, and while it lets a potentially weaker 2nd place team into the postseason, I think the rivalry aspect is worth it.

[mstreeter06]

I would actually prefer to keep the 3 playoff teams per league with a bye for the league winner.  I prefer smaller playoffs and feel like the road to climb from the bottom of a large division to a playoff contender should be harder to make in one season.

However, if we're going to have 4 playoff teams, then I prefer the two division format with the top two teams from each division making it.  That keeps the rivalries within the division, and while it lets a potentially weaker 2nd place team into the postseason, I think the rivalry aspect is worth it.

This is the boat I'm in too. I'm doing some testing in the game with a test league to see what are options could be with 20 teams.

[BaseballAddict32]

To me its natural to give a division winner a playoff spot but a weak division should not get 2 spots if the other division has 3 teams with better records. To me its division winner and two best wild card records in terms of the ideal format.

[DCHepler25]

To me its natural to give a division winner a playoff spot but a weak division should not get 2 spots if the other division has 3 teams with better records. To me its division winner and two best wild card records in terms of the ideal format.

I agree with this statement 100%.

[Troyaof]

To me its natural to give a division winner a playoff spot but a weak division should not get 2 spots if the other division has 3 teams with better records. To me its division winner and two best wild card records in terms of the ideal format.

I agree with this statement 100%.

Ditto

[LT]

To me its natural to give a division winner a playoff spot but a weak division should not get 2 spots if the other division has 3 teams with better records. To me its division winner and two best wild card records in terms of the ideal format.

I agree with this statement 100%.

Ditto

I agree

[fhomess]

I'm more than happy to go with the majority, but I've never quite understood the point of divisions if you give playoff spots to the top 4 teams anyway.

[Troyaof]

Maybe I am not understanding. I thought it was 8 teams who make the playoffs. All the division winners + wildcards

[mikezone13]

Maybe I am not understanding. I thought it was 8 teams who make the playoffs. All the division winners + wildcards

You're right Troy, the discussion regarding 4 has just been 4 per sub-league, so yes 8 in total.

[Troyaof]

Maybe I am not understanding. I thought it was 8 teams who make the playoffs. All the division winners + wildcards

You're right Troy, the discussion regarding 4 has just been 4 per sub-league, so yes 8 in total.

So could you do a division winner and 3 wildcards sure but it's nice to win a division and this way more teams are a 'champion' Also 8 out of 20 is plenty and when we go up another 4 it'll still be enough

[mikezone13]

Just been looking at those divisional alignments...

FL West looks like a straight battle between Colorado and Oregon for years with 3 expansion teams moving in there.

PL South also looks relatively "easy", one expansion team (Georgia), Kentucky and the California guys moving to Maryland.

Whereas the PL North and FL West will be known as the home of the original franchises - well Pennsy (yes two n's) and New Mexico will have moved but you get what I mean.

The "protected lists" and size of these lists are going to be crucial during expansion - I can see some really tough decisions having to be made.

[mstreeter06]

Just been looking at those divisional alignments...

FL West looks like a straight battle between Colorado and Oregon for years with 3 expansion teams moving in there.

PL South also looks relatively "easy", one expansion team (Georgia), Kentucky and the California guys moving to Maryland.

Whereas the PL North and FL West will be known as the home of the original franchises - well Pennsy (yes two n's) and New Mexico will have moved but you get what I mean.

The "protected lists" and size of these lists are going to be crucial during expansion - I can see some really tough decisions having to be made.

That is a concern for me as a Commish in terms of fairness with the new expansion teams (fine with the just Colorado GM haha).

I'm thinking about going with Interleague Play for a few seasons after 2017 to attempt to balance out the competition with the original 16 against the expansion teams. Any thoughts?