Lebron James’s comments about contracting some NBA teams prompted me to think about the issue.  I do not profess to know much about the Association; however, I follow the other three major sports.  Yes, hockey is still a major sport [barely].  So, I will propose four teams to disband from MLB and the NHL.  The leagues should eliminate these teams for the betterment of their sports.

MLB
1.  Florida Marlins
2.  Arizona Diamondbacks
3.  Tampa Bay [Devil] Rays
4.  Seattle Mariners or Oakland Athletics

NHL
1.  Atlanta Thrashers
2.  Florida Panthers
3.  Columbus Blue Jackets
4.  Nashville Predators
5.  Phoenix Coyotes

-The NHL is ripe for contraction.  Hockey in America is almost irrelevant.  The NHL expanded 10+ yrs ago.  However, this expansion occurred before a lockout, which devastated fans’ interest in the sport.  The Phoenix team is barely hanging onto its existence and may fold w/o any help from the league.  The other squads are based in average or below-average sports towns, where their arena is rarely at capacity.

-MLB has too many teams.  Evidence of this fact is found in the utter lack of quality pitching throughout the league.  Contraction of the Rays will be painless.  The team cannot draw, even amidst a September pennant race.  Florida and Arizona have won the World Series.  That fact matters not, though.  Again, these teams do not draw.  Arizona built a swimming pool in its outfield.  It is embarrassing.  Finally, Seattle is broke and may fold on its own.  Oakland should go, too.  The A’s have not earned a sellout since McGwire and Canseco were shooting HGH.  A baseball team in San Francisco and in Oakland is one too many.