Reports from Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports are that the MLB will add a second wild card team to each league this season, with the official announcement most likely coming tomorrow. When the new CBA was signed earlier in the off-season, a clause was put in that said that if another wild card were to be added for 2012, it would have to be agreed upon by March 1st. The MLB and MLBPA were able to meet this deadline, although reports were that they would extend the deadline, because both sides wanted the extra spot in effect for 2012.
You might be wondering, how is this going to effect the Blue Jays? It is going to play a huge role for the Jays, especially at the trade deadline. If the Jays are only 2 games back of the 2nd wild card, and 7 for the 1st, AA will look to improve the team, and get them over the hump. If this extra spot was not there, chances are, AA would not make an impactful move come July 31st.
The average amount of wins for the would be "2nd wild card team" from 1995-2011 is 89, a number well in reach of the 2012 Bluejays. The spot will be hard to obtain this season though, because the Rays,Red Sox, and Rangers/Angels will likely all be vying for the two wild card seeds.
I like the addition of the new wild card, although I would have like to see the league go to 8 teams per league in the playoffs, instead of 4. I know everybody wants to keep baseball how it used to be, but the game is about making money.Playoffs, except for in Tampa Bay, make money, lots of money. As much as people want to think that the MLB isn't a business, and its just a bunch of people playing the sport for the love of the game, it isn't. If you want to use the excuse of keeping baseball how is used to be, then there shouldn't be a DH, and I don't think there is anybody who wants to take the DH away. In my mind, it is a good step in the right direction, but I hope soon, the league expands to 16 playoff teams.
Our 30 teams in 30 days series will start tomorrow, when Ben Buckler previews the Arizona Diamondbacks 2012 season. Follow us on twitter, and like us on Facebook!
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Feel free to comment below giving your thoughts on the new playoff system!
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