Clayton McCullough: Not a 'Fair Fight' Between Marlins and Richer NL East Teams, 'Bolder' Ideas Needed

The systemic inequities are worse now than ever with the rise of deferrals and the recent shake-out in the local television arrangement. Without unexpected self-correction (fat chance) and revenue increases from local broadcast providers in the future (moving in the opposite direction), the next CBA is where the line in the sand must be drawn. The Dodgers have exacerbated things to the point that the showdown is inevitable. Our friend, David Samson, said yesterday that big divisions within the MLB owner ranks are predictably drawn between the low- and high-revenue teams. Undoubtedly, much higher CBT penalties, calculation changes, and heavy restrictions in the deferral system are at the top of the list. Since the players will not be onboard with any changes, expect a work stoppage. The low-revenue teams simply cannot allow the current structure to continue. It is a survivability issue. I expect a lost 2027, or another significantly truncated season, a la 2020, billed as an acceptable substitute. It's best to be firm, take the hits, and dig in heels now, although kicking the proverbial can down the road is what the owners do best. 

"I live in Florida..." Huh.

Since the Marlins have two WS titles in their history, the same as the Dodgers and Braves in the same time frame, is this guy saying that if the team "is good" fans will be satisfied? He offers the same old ridiculous blather. No matter what anyone says ("We just want to be competitive"), no one is satisfied without WS titles. No one. The "competitive" howling depletes quickly.

He might want to ask how disappointed 1990s Braves fans are or check in with Phillies fans if the team produced no titles in the Harper era. This leaves out the extraordinarily high Yankee fan expectations, a category of its own. This is not a barometer of financial circumstances. I understand that teams may be financially adequate for their ownership, with team valuation increases, but this means nothing to the fans. 

Of course, his "yada yada" question disrespecting McCullough's expressed thoughts is just a lead-in for his boring, uninspired thoughts on the Marlins performances since 1993. How unique! I wish I was the interviewee. My retort to Mr. Original would be, "I wonder if the Brewers, Rockies, Padres, Mariners, or Rays would trade total records with the Marlins? How many of the remaining teams would trade from 1993 to the present? Pirates, Guardians, Angels, Cubs, Reds?