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When the word "unequal" is mentioned in regards to Major League Baseball, the first thing that has to be mentioned is money. Money is what drives baseball teams. This is not my speculation, this is fact. The Yankees and the Red Sox and the Angels will continue to be good for years to come because they're the richest teams in the American League. Poorer teams with good players, like the Twins, Indians, and Blue Jays, will have years where they're competitive, but won't have the staying power of the big boys. Poorer teams that do not have good players, like the Royals and Devil Rays, may never be competitive again. Never. Nice knowing you, Kansas City baseball fans.

The divisions in baseball may be unbalanced, but they have to stay that way due to the American-National split. If it were up to me, I'd have five teams per division and do away with separate leagues (and implement the DH, National League! What's wrong with you?), but I'm not in an uproar about uneven divisions. It's the money that gets me. And that's why my solution is to steal a page from England's professional football (soccer) leagues: Promotion and Relegation.

In the American League, the final standings would determine the next year's divisions. There'd be no more American League East, Central, or West. Instead, there'd be American League A, B, and C. It's simple. The four teams that made the playoffs the previous season, plus the team with the next best record, are promoted into American League Division A. The four teams with the worst records would be relegated into American League Division C. The remaining five teams would be placed in American League Division B.

This plan guarantees that at least two new teams will make the playoffs every season (The winners of Divisions B and C). This plan brings hope back to Kansas City and Tampa (if hope ever existed in Tampa in the first place.) This plan would infuse Major League Baseball with an NFL-esque quality, where any team could win the World Series in any given year. Imagine the Division C champion Devil Rays making their inaugural playoff appearance, matching up with the mighty Division A champion Yankees. That can't happen in the real world, because over 162 games, the Devil Rays have zero chance to defeat New York. None. But in a five-game playoff? It could be the greatest upset of all time. And couldn't baseball use that boost of attention? Wouldn't it be better to share the wealth? It's been proven that, if you can get to the playoffs, you can win the Series (2006 Cardinals), so why not give Cinderella a chance?

And with all the steroid scandals floating around, couldn't baseball use some really good news coming from the field of play? Is America really clamoring for yet another Red Sox-Angels playoff series? I think not.

Promotion and relegation. It's the American way.

Learn more about this author, Colby Cannon.
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