MLB Network doesn't have nearly the same reach as ESPN does, so it makes sense for them to want to be seen by more people and get paid in the process. ESPN can pay MLBN to produce what they already make instead of paying their people to make it. And it's not like their talent can balk at it since ESPN just flooded the market with talent and drove down the costs for everybody in the biz. It's also not much different than the simulcasting of already established radio shows. If espn is paying MLBN more than MLBN's advertisers, sure. But why lose ratings on your own shows to espn? Man, it's almost like MLB is one of the owners of the MLB Network or something.