" Competitive balance in baseball is a sham."

Gotta love the first line in this piece from the St. Pete's Times. While I strongly disagree with the guy's suggestions (expanded playoffs? c'mon), I like his take on the state of the game.

Here are the first few paragraphs:

Competitive balance in baseball is a sham.

It doesn't matter how the commissioner's office spins it, or if the Players Association continues to ignore it; the idea that major-league baseball's 30 teams begin each season on an even playing field is a joke.

Limited revenue sharing hasn't solved it. Neither has a payroll tax. And momentum for significant realignment is nonexistent.

So where is the hope in Tampa Bay?

Where is the hope in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Detroit and other communities with lower revenue streams?