MLB Expansion and Realignment Possible, But CBA Must Come First

Major League Baseball’s at one of those weird crossroads—full of big dreams and some real headaches. Commissioner Rob Manfred keeps dropping hints about his vision: expansion, realignment, maybe even a league that feels a little more modern. He wants tighter competition, easier travel, and a postseason that’ll make TV execs drool.

Cities like Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Portland are already jockeying for a shot at the big leagues. All this talk about expansion sounds exciting, but there’s a much bigger storm brewing underneath. The collective bargaining agreement runs out in 2026, and a work stoppage in 2027 feels like more than just idle worry. Growth and labor fights—those might be the real story for the next few years.

MLB Expansion: The Vision and the Candidates

Manfred’s expansion talk has fired up fans and city leaders who want in. Adding new teams could mean fresh energy and a chance for new cities to put their own stamp on the game.

Potential New Baseball Cities

Nashville seems to be leading the charge, thanks to its booming music scene and rising sports culture. Salt Lake City and Portland aren’t far behind, each with their own loyal sports communities and untapped baseball markets.

If MLB actually pulls the trigger on expansion, it’s not going to be quick or simple. The league would need to:

• Pick the right ownership groups
• Negotiate and collect expansion fees
• Figure out stadium plans
• Hold expansion drafts to build teams from scratch

What Realignment Could Mean for the Game

Manfred’s also floated the idea of shaking up divisions and schedules. He wants to cut back on brutal travel and set up matchups that’ll keep fans and TV networks interested.

But let’s be honest, none of this is happening soon. Baseball’s never in a hurry with this kind of thing. New teams and realignment? Maybe not until the 2030s. For now, it’s all just a guessing game, but you can bet those hopeful cities are watching every move.

The Real Battle: Labor Relations

Even with all this expansion chatter, insiders know the real issue is the next collective bargaining agreement. The deal from 2022 ends in December 2026, and there’s already tension between players and owners.

Trouble Brewing Ahead of 2027

Owners keep pushing for a salary cap, but the MLB Players Association isn’t having it. The 2022 negotiations left a lot of bad blood, and another big fight looks almost certain.

People in baseball circles talk about a 2027 lockout like it’s practically a done deal unless the two sides start making real progress. The last stoppage happened during the pandemic mess, and another one could really hurt the sport.

Can Baseball Afford a Distraction?

Some critics think Manfred’s expansion talk is just a distraction from the looming labor mess. He’s floated plenty of ideas before that never went anywhere—remember the automated strike zone or that “golden at-bat” thing? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Momentum at Stake

It’s a shame, because baseball’s actually on the upswing right now:

• TV ratings and streams are climbing
• Attendance is bouncing back after COVID
• International stars are bringing in new fans
• Small-market teams are finally giving the big spenders a run for their money

If a lockout crushes the 2027 season, all that momentum could vanish. Honestly, keeping the peace at the bargaining table should matter way more than chasing expansion headlines.

The Bottom Line

MLB stands at a crossroads. Expansion and realignment bring a wave of possibility, with new markets and bigger media footprints on the horizon.

But if the league doesn’t shore up its labor foundation, those dreams might not matter much. As one veteran observer put it, why buy a shiny new toy if the engine’s about to break down?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yes, MLB expansion and realignment might happen in the future, but the CBA needs to be baseball’s priority