Major League Baseball may be on the verge of one of its most significant shakeups in decades. Commissioner Rob Manfred recently suggested that geographic realignment of MLB divisions could become a reality, potentially reshaping how teams compete and travel. Speaking during ESPN’s broadcast of Sunday night’s Little League Classic, Manfred tied the possibility of realignment to future league expansion. The idea raises questions about travel logistics, postseason structure, and even the potential end of the traditional American League versus National League format.
Key Highlights
Rob Manfred hinted at geographic realignment for MLB divisions.
Expansion could trigger the realignment to reduce player travel.
The postseason format may become more appealing for broadcasters like ESPN.
Cities like Nashville are reportedly being considered for future MLB franchises.
Realignment could mark the end of the traditional AL and NL structure.
Expansion as a Catalyst
Manfred made it clear that expansion would create the main opportunity for a geographic shift in the league.
“I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign,” – Rob Manfred
He also highlighted player welfare as a potential benefit.
“I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. And I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN, because you’d be playing out of the East and out of the West.” – Rob Manfred
MLB has not added teams since the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joined in 1998. Current discussions focus on how stadium situations in Oakland and Tampa Bay could influence potential expansion, with cities such as Nashville emerging as strong candidates.
The Postseason and Fan Interest
Beyond travel concerns, Manfred emphasized that a realignment could improve the appeal of MLB’s postseason. Adjusting divisions along geographic lines could create more intuitive rivalries and more exciting matchups for national broadcasts.
“I think the owners realize there is demand for major league baseball in a lot of great cities, and we have an opportunity to do something good around that expansion process.” – Rob Manfred
By potentially aligning teams more logically by region, MLB could reduce travel fatigue and ensure more competitive balance, benefiting both players and fans.
A Historic Shift
A move to geographic realignment could also mean the end of the traditional American League and National League structure. This change would bring MLB closer to the formats used by the NBA and NHL, making scheduling and playoff matchups more straightforward. Manfred’s tenure has already been marked by efforts to modernize baseball, including tweaks to rules, scheduling, and postseason structure. A full realignment would continue that trend and could be one of the most consequential changes in decades.
“I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. And I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN, because you’d be playing out of the East and out of the West.” – Rob Manfred
News in Brief: MLB Hints Realignment
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted at geographic realignment of divisions, linking the idea to league expansion. Expansion would reduce player travel, improve the postseason format, and potentially end the traditional American League versus National League structure. Cities like Nashville are reportedly being considered for new franchises once stadium issues in Oakland and Tampa Bay are resolved. Manfred hopes to add two more teams before retiring in 2029, making realignment a potential reality.
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