Is baseball broken?

[msgkings322]

Obviously this has been discussed in multiple threads, just wanted to have a dedicated thread

I think there's arguments both ways

Pro: the Dodgers (and Mets and a few others) have obviously ramped up this discussion lately. There have always been big spenders and small market cheap teams but there have been periods where it was more glaring and this is one of those. Yes occasionally a small spender will sneak into the playoffs and even more rarely they win a title. But let's face it unless you are a fan of the 5-6 teams that get all the free agents you're probably pretty disgusted by the situation. Deferred contracts at least should not be allowed, they just add fuel to the fire.

Con: while TV ratings are declining (some of that is people moving from using TV to watch to the internet), or at least far behind football and basketball, overall revenues keep growing, TV contracts keep growing, salaries keep growing, franchise values keep growing. Until that all stops it's hard to argue the sport is "broken" and the owners and players have very little incentive to change it. Players are not fans, they don't care about competitive balance.

 

[Janus]

I'm in favor of a salary cap, should stop all this spending and distribute wealth evenly

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I am not sure it is broken, but the Dodgers seemingly flaunting basic competition, real or perceived, is rubbing people the wrong way. Magic circle problem.