Blogtrek

Analysis Suggests Three-Way Baseball Swap

One of my specialties is Operations Research (OR). This is a term referring to the application of mathematical techniques to real world problems. An example of a problem that OR could apply to is the assignment of Triple-A minor league baseball teams to their major league affiliates. There has been a trend towards the AAA farm team and its parent being close together; e.g., Boston and Pawtucket Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Tacoma Rainiers, and Toledo Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers. The reason is simple: it cuts travel costs. So why not pair up minor league teams to major league ones so as to minimize the total mileage? An OR technique called the “assignment method” can apply to this.

I tried this a couple of years ago and got some interesting results. Much of the present assignments, including the above three pairs, came out like it actually is. I would think that the Florida Marlins could come up with some team closer than the Calgary Cannons, but my model actually paired them up with the farther Edmonton Trappers. The reason is that there are no teams close to either of these teams, and that it is more important to pair up closer teams than to attempt to force some team to pair with Florida.

The model did show an interesting six-way deal that would cut travel costs. Right now the Richmond Braves are an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the Nashville Sounds are an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Rochester Red Wings are an affilitate of the Baltimore Orioles. Some of these are far apart, especially Richmond and Atlanta. The deal would switch these around to pair Rochester to Pittsburgh, Nashville to Atlanta, and Richmond to Baltimore. All three distances would be shorter, resulting in considerable travel cost savings.

Right now is a good time to do this. I learned that the Red Wings are now a “free agent”, meaning they can find whatever major team they can get as a parent, and so are the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. This means the deal is easier than ever to do right now, so I hope they consider it; that is, if the impending August 30 strike does not interfere.