Golden Bats, Women in Baseball, Winter Meetings, MLB Stadiums & Juan Soto

Rays Stadium - John Fisher money & motivation in Vegas
with the A's satire

Tradition vs. Modernization in Baseball

Golden Bat rule challenges the traditions of baseball. MLB
becomes the Savannah Bananas 

Field Dimensions and Fairness in Baseball: large market edge

Other Ideas from Fans for changes: 

Fans from the stands being selected to play an inning or
take an at-bat.

Pitchers being required to hit but allowed to use
aluminum bats.

A proposal for teams to have two women on the roster.



Incentivizing Team Performance

Rob Manfred’s Legacy: “just a piece of metal.” lack of
passion for the game & impact of his leadership.

Juan Soto impact with smaller markets

Team Building and Free Agency: the importance of star players
committing to smaller market teams and how it could shape their
legacy.

Historical Winter Meetings: 1988 and 2014 meetings, and how
teams like the Texas Rangers & Los Angeles Dodgers made
significant trades and acquisitions

Competitive Balance in MLB: Blake Snell signing with the
Dodgers.

Juan Soto’s impending free agency and potential destinations.

Freddie Freeman and his impact with the Dodgers vs. the Rays.

Historical Trades: Texas Rangers (1988), Dodgers (2014).

Rob Manfred’s will he retire as commissioner by 2030

Incentivizing Competitive Balance: Would penalties for losses
help improve the competitiveness of MLB?

Can small-market teams make an impact by signing stars

Teams spending Floors & Ceilings needed as large-market
teams outspending smaller-market teams and creating an uneven
playing field. 

Fixing the MLB System:  fix the financial imbalance—not
as a bargaining chip with players, but as a necessary step to
protect the integrity of the league. 

The Importance of Retaining Star Players:

A Call for League Balance: where all teams have a fair shot
at retaining star talent and competing. 

Merging MiLB with NCAA would increase exposure and
viewership.

Savannah Bananas Influence on MLB

Stadium Drama with Oakland A's & the Tampa Bay Rays

Frustration felt by Rays fans, taxpayers, and the local
community.

Therapy needed for fans to "heal" from years of stadium
uncertainty.

Women in Baseball

Isla Borders, Meggie Meidlinger, and Kelsie Whitmore,
women who have had professional baseball careers

potential of women playing in MLB when demonstrating
elite skills, citing examples from other sports like hockey.

Rachel Balkovec (player development with the
Marlins) 

Veronica Alvarez (coach for the USAWNT) pioneers in
coaching roles.



The Future of Women’s Professional Baseball 

Potential for a professional women’s baseball league and
the challenges women might face in breaking into MLB.

The idea of merging smaller women’s leagues for greater
comparisons to the early days of the NFL.



Winter Meetings and the Rule 5 Draft

Big contract signings will be discussed and trades are
expected.

The Rule 5 Draft will also provide insight into team
strategies.

Juan Soto potentially commanding a $600 million deal





Just a reminder you can find Mat at  M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot
bsky social. That’s @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at
@baseballbizondeck.bsky.social

Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward