Trevor Bauer Tears Apart Proposed New Playoff Format With Direct Shot at Rob Manfred
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is not exactly the most popular amongst players or fans. He has added unpopular new rules and hasn't properly handled the sign-stealing scandal, just to name a few misfires.
A new, somewhat surprising, potential rule change has to do with altering the playoff format. That would include expanding the field to 14 teams with the top teams in both leagues getting a bye, and the other two division winners picking their opponents. Those first-round matchups would best-of-three game series.
Reactions have been polarizing, and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer was firmly on the side against the leaked proposal.
No idea who made this new playoff format proposal, but Rob is responsible for releasing it, so I’ll direct this to you, Rob Manfred. Your proposal is absurd for too many reasons to type on twitter and proves you have absolutely no clue about baseball. You’re a joke.
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) February 11, 2020
Bauer did not hold back at all by calling the commissioner of the game a joke. He also cut the nonsense and realized Manfred was likely the one who came up with the proposal.
The MLB is considering changing its playoff format from 5 to 7 teams per league:
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) February 10, 2020
–Best record in its league gets bye
–2nd best record: 1st pick of Wild Card opponent
-WC series:3 games
–Matchups selected on live TV
I've always said the playoff field should be expanded. Like it? pic.twitter.com/wA40JgBz2z
Bauer is one of the more outspoken athletes in all of professional sports, though plenty of other MLB players may be feeling the same after seeing the proposal. He is just the only one to publicly comment on it so far.