i could see exhibitions, but playing regular season games overseas, outside of the normal scheduling structure, taking away a team's home game, etc seem to just be a slap in the face of the concept of competition. why not send the Yanks and RedSox to Japan to play a 3 game weekend series in early March, or in November immediately after the season while they are still in baseball condition? why not play All-Star games overseas? i could be wrong, but i'm pretty sure ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barca, Madrid, AC Milan, etc have never played a meaningful match in the US, yet they sell out the stadium(s) every time the visit to play exhibitions.

honestly, i didn't even know baseball was having their first "opening day" until i heard the score on the radio this morning, so it's not like i had a rooting interest, but it just makes zero sense to me. market the product, play exhibitions, sell jerseys and TV contracts, etc. do all of it. but DON'T play regular season games over there. you don't have to, and i don't see a benefit.