Is Baseball Economics Real?

One of the biggest news stories in baseball during the past week has not been on the field. The report delivered by MLB's economic Blue Ribbon Panel contains some recommendations that could have serious effects when the current labor agreement expires after the 2001 season. (Actually, it could end after this season, but the Players Association hold the rights to extend the current agreement, and they are expected to do so.) The panel consisted of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, former Federal Reserve board chairman Paul Volcker, Yale president Richard Levin and political commentator George Will. This group of men made its report to MLB and recommended an increased luxury tax, and revenue sharing on the local and national levels. Also included were a $40 million minimum payroll and the possibility of relocating franchises, although no specific franchises were mentioned. For some further information about the proposal, look at these articles.

Dave Kindred, "Economic Panel" http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/dave_...

Darren Rovell, "Baseball Economics" http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/2000/0719/64113...

Any plan to be implemented by the owners would have to go through the Players Association. This is no minor detail, since the head of the Association has already criticized the numbers used and the fact that the Association was not represented on the panel. The Assocation should open its mind and offer some suggestions to make this plan palatable for them. However, the Association has proved in the past that its more interested in increasing the salaries of the top players instead of increasing the overall pay of its constituents.

For some real baseball, Paul White has written a fun article about the trades he believes should be made.

Paul White, "10 Trades" http://www.totalbaseballweekly.com/news/...

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