So it begins, The official Hot Stove League Thread 2024-25 Offseason

[Hasslecracked]

Dodgers sign Kirby Yates. And yet people still think they are good for baseball…

[Captain 97]

Dodgers sign Kirby Yates. And yet people still think they are good for baseball…

If you count out their payroll on an average annual value basis rather than ignoring the deferred money, they are at 380 Million.

[Vogelbomb]

Dodgers sign Kirby Yates. And yet people still think they are good for baseball…

Do the Dodgers know about the 26-man roster limit?

[TraderGary]

The difference is, even when it came to the Pats or the Chiefs, you still felt like other teams had a shot. You had hall of fame QBs battling both in the playoffs. You felt a solid 10-15 teams could have a shot knocking them off because the star talent was and is spread out. Where in baseball, if a star reaches FA, they are most likely going to NY or the Dodgers. To say a salary cap is bad is just old fashioned way of thinking. I’d rather stars battling, not teaming up

I agree.

I will be very surprised if there isn't a strike or lockout in 2027 with the owners attempt to implement a salary cap. Baseball desperately needs one. It's gotten out of hand for reasons already stated. The league is too top heavy.

It could happen. From the side of the player's union, the key will be whether or not player salaries are still going up. We know there are some monster contracts being given out, but how is the average player doing when most of the teams are cutting back due to the loss of local TV money?

How much longer before we see the first billion-dollar contract? We're not far from that now.

In answer to your question, I agree there's too much disparity between the superstar's salary and the 25th man salary. That needs to be addressed as well and I think a salary cap would go a long way toward resolving that.

Teams like the Dodgers would not be able to pay a player $75 million per year, several other players $40+ million per year, mulitiple $20-$30 million per year players, and still have enough left to fill out the rest of the roster capable of playing for a championship. Teams like the Dodgers, NYY, and Mets would need to retool. That effectively creates parity throughout the league. They wouldn't be able to just stockpile all the best players the way they do today.

There also needs to be a hard floor so teams like the A's, Pirates, KC and others can't just line their pockets at the expense of their fans who spend millions to support their team.

MLB is losing fans every year. Changes need to be made because the current model is not working.

[Donn Beach]

Losing fans, what are you basing that on, attendance and viewing seems to be up. And it's up in the younger age groups

https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press ... even-years

]

[TraderGary]

I'll believe it when I see it. In my mind it's not about the players union, it's the owners. To begin with the big market teams are not going to be interested in a cap, how about the smaller markets. Let's take the mariners, would they be interested? The first thing is it would require them opening their books. You really think the mariners would be interested in doing that? And the fact is they are doing fine aren't they? Isn't that the narrative, they are making money. The fact is a cap would be for the fans benefit, but not even every fan. I just don't see it happening. Even before you get to the fight with the players it take such a change in teams view their businesses

See above. The current model is not working. Changes have to be made. The golden goose is aging. There's too much greed on both sides, no one gives a damn about the fans anymore, and the fans know it. An average family of 4 cannot afford to go to a game anymore.

There's a reason the game that was once considered our national pastime is now a distant second to the NFL, and don't say it's because of the gambling.

[Donn Beach]

Except attendance is up

MLB Finishes 2024 Season With Highest Attendance in Seven Years
MLB Registers First Back-To-Back Attendance Gains in 12 Years (2011-2012)

[TraderGary]

Losing fans, what are you basing that on, attendance and viewing seems to be up. And it's up in the younger age groups

https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press ... even-years

]

That's actually very surprising to me. I stand corrected on my "losing fans" statement. I was basing it on what I've heard on air in the past few years.

But the rest of my argument stands.

[D-train]

Yep, doubt MLB is panicking about this. lol

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[Donn Beach]

Sure, it's frustrating, but I think it points out they are pretty good at marketing their product. It's interesting viewership is up double digits with young fans. That's an audience they need to win over. We are no longer the target audience