That’s the message that Bud Selig has given to Jim Crane according to Major League Baseball Sources, reports myFox Houston. Apparently all the speculation that war-profiteering were holding up the deal, or perhaps Crane’s history of EEOC violation holding up the deal weren’t the issue at all. MLB sources say that the deal’s on hold because Crane has not agreed to move the Astros to the American League.
The sources also said they thought the deal could be completed without Crane agreeing to move the Astros to the American league, but I’m skeptical. If that were the case, why hasn’t it happened already? I mean seriously, this has been going on long enough.
You guys know the deal, MLB wants the leagues to be 15 teams each instead of the lopsided 14 /16 that it is now. The Astros ( who are in the 6 team NL Central) have been discussed for movement since the idea was first floated.
I think it’s a bad idea. First of all, if the Astros are moved to the AL it will be to the West Division. Anyone ready for 9pm baseball games? That means that you’ll have to stay up to midnight to watch your hometown boys when they’re on the road. Secondly, I’m not a fan of the designated hitter. Thirdly, the Astros have 50 years of NL heritage – there are other teams in which the NL is not as deeply ingrained. And lastly, the Arizona Diamondbacks have expressed a willingness to move to the AL, so why not move a team that’s willing instead of one whose fans will be angered by the move?
Regardless of my opinion, the deal for Crane to buy the Astros seems, at this moment, to be hinging on this realignment. I really hope the sources are wrong. Or if they’re right, I hope Crane understands how bad of an idea this is and passes. I know, I know – you want a new owner. I do too, but not at the expense of the ballclub. If I need to deal with Uncle Drayton a bit longer, I’ll survive.
Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can read her Astros blog at www.talesfromthejuicebox.com, email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her on twitter @agirlinthesouth.
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The potential increase in 9p CDT starts are also a reason the Chicago Cubs objected to being in the NL West when divisions first started.
Having a Texas entry in each league makes more sense. As for a team to switch, I’d say Colorado would be a better fit for the AL.
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Reality is setting in, what DH’s are going to be available at a cheap price?
For the MLB, the Astros make since, the only team up for sale now, so it’s easy to back Crane into a corner or out the door to make the move.
There’s pro’s and con’s to remaining in the NL or moving to the AL.
I can debate the issue either way…………..
But here’s the facts, Drayton has been trying to sale the team for the last couple of years, and the team has got a little worst each of those years, now we’re rock bottom or so we think, if the team is not sold, we’ll see just how low the team can continue to go.
The ‘bad idea’ is to see the team get worse and worse, and the fans grow more and more distant and less invovled with the team.
So all your purist who think holding out to keep the Astros in the NL, may also be the reason the team dies out completely. If moving to the AL is the only hold up, Crane, your a businessman, there’s money in the AL…………..the fans will continue to come, if the team improves, there’s a lot of money in bringing the Yanks, Bo-sox, Ranger’s into Minute Maid park, the TV revenue will be great!!!!
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The more I think about this the angier I am getting. Selig & company have no right to hold this over Crane’s head. That’s bribery plain and simple. Move AZ or the brew crew, but none of that has anything to do with Crane’s suitability to be an MLB owner. He either is ok or not- get on with the vote on that. And then tackle realignment if you must. Astros in the AL is SO bad on so many levels.
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Carole – I agree that this should NOT be a condition of ownership. However, Selig is aware that the owner of a team must consent to moving a team from one league to the other, so it’s wise to know the position of a prospective owner if that’s the plan.
To me the most upsetting part of the whole deal is the Astros being in the West – whether it’s NL or AL. I am NOT a night owl so those late start times will do me, for sure.
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No. No. No. Say it isn’t so!
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The day after it was reported Arizona would be willing to move, another report came out the Diamondbacks did not want to move. Also even if the Diamondbacks are moved someone still has to go to the NL West and guess who would be the candidate for that.
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I’m pretending that second report about the Diamondbacks didn’t happen.
I’m obviously having a hard time being mature or rational about this subject. There are too many emotions tied in it for me.
I feel like a toddler throwing a tantrum kicking and screaming on the floor. “I don’t waaaaanna.”
And the designated hitter still sucks.
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Seriously, the MLB floats past antitrust regulations on the thinnest of ice. If Selig knows what’s good for him, he won’t make this an ultimatum.
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I was wondering about that myself. I need to do a bit more research, but I’m thinking that Selig isn’t making it an ultimatum “officially” although for all intents and purposes it is.
My guess would be this will be the case no matter who the potential new owner will be. But it’s just so wrong!
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I hope beyond hope that this rumor is not true. I will be a sad Astros fan if they are moved to the AL.
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Move. The. Brewers. Back.
Should never have been moved in the first place. Just dumb.
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LOL- When this idea was first floated, I tweeter something like that followed by the fact that MLB should have a “last in = first out” policy.
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