[Dusty]

To be honest I really stopped watching baseball after the '94 strike but watched the McGwire home run chase and the Yankees dynasty but still baseball has changed since the '80s when my whole High School was wearing Mets jerseys. Nowadays a team like the KC Royals are almost minor league while 20 years ago they were ferocious contenders to win it all. So trying to get back into the game I ask the experts. Who are the big market teams, the pathetic minor league Marlin-type teams. Which cities have a rabid baseball fanbase and which cities wouldn't give a hoot if their team up and left for another city?

[azrael492]

The big markets haven't changed much. NY, Boston, Chicago, and LA still have all the money. An upstart team is the LAA Angels...unless they changed their name again. Their ownership has been spending.

Small market teams are Pittsburgh, Cincinnati , Florida, Cleveland, Oakland, etc. They have to get by on developing talent and having the stars align for them. If they are close to winning, they will spend for one year to see if they get over the hump.

The only fanbase I know is the Reds. They have a loyal following....at least by me.

[EmpireWF]

A lot of the smaller market teams are playing well and within the next couple of years should be real contenders. Teams like the Royals and Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) have a ton of young talent who should push them over the next couple of years.

Of course the Tigers spent and did a bunch in the off-season but are in last place right now.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Teams like the Royals and Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) have a ton of young talent who should push them over the next couple of years..

Wait a second, see here's where change happens and i'm unaware...they're not called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays anymore? Just the Tampa Bay Rays? What the heck happened there?? And Az said that Cleveland is a small market team but don't they spend a good amount for the players on the Indians? Isn't Grady Sizemore there??

[EmpireWF]

Yep, Tampa changed their name.

Going into 08, the Indians have the 16th highest payroll ($78.9 mil).

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Yep, Tampa changed their name.

Going into 08, the Indians have the 16th highest payroll ($78.9 mil).

Well I don't know, perhaps the Indians are rebuilding but not sure. I remember when they had Chuck Finley and were dishing out cash to get to the World Series. So on the Devil Rays..er..I mean RAYS...I take it that they went from the nickname of that fish that pierced Steve Irwin's heart to their name meaning Rays as in sunrays? I noticed on their unis where it says Rays there's like a sparkle but i'm just guessing.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

A lot of the smaller market teams are playing well and within the next couple of years should be real contenders. Teams like the Royals and Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) have a ton of young talent who should push them over the next couple of years.

Of course the Tigers spent and did a bunch in the off-season but are in last place right now.

I am not convinced on the Royals, but the Rays are going to be very very good in a couple years (assuming the players avoid injuries and develop as they are suppose to). They have the type of young talent that is going to have the Yanks and Sox looking up at them in the standings. Of course after they enjoy 5 or so years of great success the players will become FA eligible and I have my doubts on the owners financial commitment. The Diamondbacks are another team loaded with young talent.