Minor League Downsize

I personally think Bud Selig ruined baseball, but what Rob Manfred plans to do will be even worse.

The last month and a half has seen a lot of displeasure towards Manfred. His ideas are to after the 2020 season, get rid of 42 minor league baseball teams from all over the country. It includes a ballpark in Florida named after the great Jackie Robinson. Both sides, him and Minor League Baseball, are at war. Manfred has criticized the complaints and may look to get rid of all of the minors. I don't think he would do that, but not the best choice of words.

Minor league players don't make a lot and from reading articles, pay raises are a concern. But is eliminating teams the option? No. Because you not only kill those teams, you kill a lot of futures. Some of the potential superstars may not have any other chance to make a name in the majors. A guy like Peter Alonso may not have gotten his opportunity if it wasn't for the minors the last couple of years prior to this year. Not only that, but you get rid of employees who work there and the numbers combined go into the thousands with the cut teams.

Towns can be affected. It is a source of revenue and losing a team could affect a bottom line and budget for said town. Major league teams suffer since not everyone has a huge payroll. Farm systems exist so some of the smaller teams can develop their guys and have them ready in a couple years. A team like the Marlins would not survive. But what also hurts are families. Not everyone is going to spend more than 500 dollars to go to a MLB game. A minor league game will set you back close to or around 100 for a family of four in terms of tickets, parking, and food, and that's not including a gift shop. Or locals that watch the games every day. You never know.

The MLB relies too much on crotchety old men to run the league. There has to be better options than cutting minor league teams. Manfred knows that, but doesn't want to admit it. If they want to fix their attendance issues, get teams to not price ridiculous ticket prices. The average person does not have funds to go to one of the big name teams' game. Advertise to kids and teenagers. Stop relying on 60 year olds who want their Viagra or Budweiser commercials. The NBA and NFL don't have issues catering to almost every demographic. Maybe MLB can learn a thing or two from them in terms of the game and social media.