Contraction

From BR Bullpen

Contraction refers to the elimination of teams for the greater financial stability of the rest of the league. Generally, the league owners will buyout the owners of the struggling club, eliminate the club, and conduct a dispersal draft. A major league has not contracted since 1899.

In the winter of 2001-2002, Commissioner Bud Selig and the owners voted to contract two teams in time for the 2002 season. These teams were likely to be the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins. While the Expos eventually moved, Twins fans vociferously argued against contraction. Additionally, lawmakers forced the club to honor their lease, thus saving the Twins.

[edit] Further Reading

• Danny Gallagher and Bill Young: "Contraction talk was bad news for the franchise", in Remembering the Montreal Expos, Scoop Press, Toronto, ON, 2005, pp. 242-244.