jacku641

Several years ago I tried to figure out if there was a way to "balance" the schedule. There was the usual chatter about "why can't the be more balanced like it used to be?" So I looked at what it would take and the math was to difficult with 30 teams where you have X games in division, Y games in interdivision, and Z games interleague. The basic concept could easily yield values such that X+Y+Z=162 (or 154 or 156 or whatever). The problem is that those values are totals and to get to the totals requires a system of equations where X is composed of values in each of 5 equations, Y has 11 equations and Z 6 or 7 equations if you keep the current interleague scheduling concepts. I realized early on that the reason the current MLB schedule is like it is probably comes from the fact it's what works. That said, I'd like to see this format somewhere just to see if could work. My only concern about 2 leagues with four 4 team divisions is it starts to look like the NFL and I can live without that.

One thing to remember is that just like a trade needs two sides to complete, so does the job search. The Twins may have been in contact with some of the people from other organizations that have been mentioned but they may have been politely turned down. Some of these guys may feel they are in line with their current organizations and would rather stay put.

Many years ago (at least 20) Jim Kaat offered the following suggestion: Create a rotation of 9 pitchers. Each pitcher pitches 3 innings every 3 days. Which 3 inning section they pitch would change as well. Since the MLB rules are such that the starter would never qualify for the win in this scenario. If the team carries a lead going into the 7th inning then the third pitcher would be eligable for a save. You'd have to consider what to do for extra innings, possibly moving to the next days pitchers. If you keep a couple of extra guys around to do the extra inning work and to move in if someone has a really bad day your still at 11 pitchers and 14 position players.