1st a moment to toot my horn.

I predicted this finish in the AL central at the end of 2025. The pale hose & tigers battling it out as TC & Guards fade. KC/TC eventually battling for the basement.

The one thing I got wrong. TC is more competitive than I predicted. Although you wouldn't know it if you watched their embarrassing loss in the field of nightmare game yesterday.

Now the fence straddle... Who to root for? White Sox or Tigers. I do usually root for tigers in such scenario. But the white Sox have fluffed my bankroll much this season... And the tigers have repeatedly hosed me.

Yet, for TC fans. The white Sox are the long standing enemy ever since the AJ Pierzinski theft. When was that? 2005? 2006? And? I have a hunch, the white Sox are going to own the division for a few seasons- perhaps a decade in the near future. Of course. How the CBA shakes out will have a large impact upon mlbs future. A hard cap would change much. And I don't see the league carrying on w/o some version of a hard cap. Players are against it, but they lack the leverage to dictate much to the owners. AND- I think the fans will be on the side of a hard cap.

The hard cap that being bandied around comes with both a minimum and a maximum. Altho there is a version where the maximum if more than double the minimum. Rendering the plan- "what's the point"

What the players can gain by accepting a fair cap is a minor league system with fewer optioning sequences/ protections so players that deserve promotion get their opportunities sooner? The problem with that trade off. I don't think milb players, the class this would benefit, get to vote on the CBA. So, player votes will likely center around shorter length of team control/ arbitration. The same teams/ owners that want the hard cap are likely not willing to give up player control time.

I think. MLB 2027 will be a lost year.
The 2 sides couldn't be more fractured within itself or further apart.

2027 will be the year banana ball explodes and the owners & players both will regret the moment.

Tis a shame. As with all good things. The enemy is always- SELFISH GREED.

Elect me POTUS.
I will declare an executive order across the big 4 sports. Ticket prices frozen at 1980 levels. Salaries changed to trust funds with 401k rules for early withdrawal. Max salaries of $5m per season in usable cash. Another $5m per season in 401k contribution.
Concessions affordable as well. No more $30 plastic helmet nacho bowl that contains .75¢ of ingredients. Alcohol can be the only inflated concession item... Bc- too many flippen drunk arseholes at games. Self restraint is an alien phrase in 'merica circa 2026.

Owners & players hate on me. Fans get pure sport returned to them. And In the long term. Players will be happy with the deferred money. Owners will be happy as sport expands bc it is once again a sustainable biz model across all markets.