House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: the Haves and the Have Nots

By Alan Carpenter

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Paul Goldschmidt #44 after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on September 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Paul Goldschmidt #44 after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on September 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 29: Carlos Rodon #55 of the Chicago White Sox reacts as manager Rick Renteria #17 walks to mound to pull him from the game against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning on September 29, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 29: Carlos Rodon #55 of the Chicago White Sox reacts as manager Rick Renteria #17 walks to mound to pull him from the game against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning on September 29, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

‘Why Bother?’ Mode

The American League off-season may come down to 4-5 teams dividing up free agents and trade commodities among themselves without serious competition from the other 10 clubs.

Just think: how much effort would it require (prospects, cash, etc.) for a team like the White Sox to become a contender – even in the weak AL Central?  Is it seriously worth that effort and expense at this point in their rebuild?

That’s the point of the comment from this analyst:  there will become a point when a rebuilder decides to start engaging more – like the position that Atlanta is now in.  But until they reach that point, they may as well sit on the sidelines, trade away a veteran trade chip, stash some prospects, and be ready as trade deadline sellers next Summer.

This is great news for the “buying” clubs, for that means more assets to divvy up among them… almost like looting the bodies.  This is also terrible news for the fans of these clubs – and for the American League.

The Grand Canyon

The AL will thus see a dramatically weaker set of teams with a huge abyss between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.  You could easily see multiple 100 win teams again (we had 2 in 2018) and multiple 100-loss clubs as well (3 of those in 2018).

It’s terrible for the sport at large simply because it’s not even worth the effort to try and win from the point-of-view of these front offices.

Sure – they will look like they are trying… trades will happen and free agents will be signed.  But the fans will look at the resulting rosters and be… underwhelmed.

Happily, the National League looks to be much more competitive.  The Marlins, Reds and Pirates are going to be struggling, but nearly all of the rest (including the Padres) should have reason to think they can do something useful in 2019 (Arizona and Colorado… jury is still out on y’all).

But if baseball ratings are down next season… you’ll know why.  The American League is quite sad.

But there might be a curious exception in the Junior Circuit.

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