NEW YORK, January 26, 2024
MLB Realignment: Ranking the Proposals as Expansion Looms
Table of Contents
Major League Baseball is bracing for a shakeup, with expansion on the horizon and realignment discussions heating up among fans and analysts.
- Expansion to 32 teams is highly likely, necessitating a restructuring of the current divisions.
- Proposed realignment plans range from sensible to utterly chaotic, sparking debate among baseball enthusiasts.
- Preserving historic rivalries remains a key consideration in any viable realignment scenario.
- MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s inclination to follow through on stated plans suggests realignment is inevitable.
The winter months in baseball are typically slow on news, filled with reports on player conditioning and training adjustments. But the quiet period allows for deeper contemplation of the game’s future, and right now, that future centers on expansion and, inevitably, realignment. With the situations of the Athletics and Rays seemingly resolved for the long term, the focus shifts to adding at least two new teams, bringing the total to 32 and throwing the current divisional structure into disarray.
What’s the best way to reorganize MLB with a larger number of teams? The question has spawned a flurry of proposals in recent months, some more grounded in reality than others. Let’s take a look at a couple of the ideas floating around.
A Proposal That Misses the Mark
Some ideas are, frankly, a swing and a miss. One especially unpopular concept involves completely dismantling the existing league structure and prioritizing geographic balance above all else.You can practically hear the clickbait headlines now: “Baseball Purists Absolutely Hate This Idea!” And they would be right to. Why would baseball jeopardize the established rivalries that have been carefully cultivated and heavily marketed for over two decades?
Consider the Yankees and Red Sox.Their matchups are consistently promoted, accompanied by retrospectives highlighting their storied history. MLB isn’t likely to abandon that kind of consistent promotional opportunity nine times a season, even in the pursuit of increased revenue. The core of the game is its history, and that history is built on rivalries.
Pro tip-MLB’s current divisional structure was last significantly altered in 1994, coinciding with the addition of the Florida Marlins and colorado Rockies.
A Plan With Potential
slowly nodding Yes, this one shows promise.
One proposal stands out as particularly well-reasoned. It prioritizes preserving existing rivalries, recreating old ones – a Pirates-Phillies pairing, for example – and providing struggling teams with a more competitive divisional landscape. Crucially, it also respects the traditional aspects of the game.
The idea of moving the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays raises few objections. Their histories don’t carry the same weight as some other franchises, and the precedent was set when the Houston Astros switched leagues, bringing the Milwaukee Brewers back into the American League. This proposal has the potential to gain traction.
Reader question-Expansion teams frequently enough struggle initially.How might MLB mitigate competitive imbalances caused by adding two new franchises?
The central theme emerging from these discussions is the need to balance innovation with tradition. Even if commissioner Manfred prioritizes financial gains through realignment, fans ultimately want to see their teams compete within the familiar framework of their leagues.
Realignment is coming. The timing and specifics remain uncertain, but given Manfred’s track record, its a matter of when, not if. The real debate lies in determining which plan is the best for the long-term health and enjoyment of the game.
