Major League Baseball might be on the edge of a real shake-up. Commissioner Rob Manfred is once again tossing around the idea of expansion-could-drive-geographic-realignment-rob-manfred-says/”>expansion and geographic realignment.
Expansion talk isn’t new, but this time Manfred seems to think adding two new teams could open the door for a big overhaul. He’s talking about restructuring divisions, changing up travel schedules, and even tweaking postseason broadcasting.
This could totally change how fans watch the game. Players might travel less, and national TV ratings could get a real boost—at least, that’s the hope.
Expansion and Realignment: A Combined Vision
Manfred’s pretty clear: MLB expansion and realignment go hand in hand. He’s really pushing for grouping teams by region.
That’d mean less travel for players and a fresh look for how baseball gets shown to fans across the country. It sounds ambitious, but honestly, it’s not a totally wild idea.
Learning from the 2020 Season
Back in 2020, the pandemic forced MLB to stick to a geographically restricted schedule. Teams only played within their regions, which cut down on travel and brought a new kind of energy to matchups.
Manfred points to that season as a possible blueprint, just with a full schedule and a permanent divisional setup.
Postseason and Broadcast Benefits
Realignment might also make life easier for national broadcasters like ESPN. Manfred floated the idea of moving late-night national broadcasts to feature two West Coast teams.
That could grab a bigger audience in prime TV markets. It’s all about matching primetime slots to the games people actually want to see, which could mean more eyes on postseason matchups.
Possible East-West Split
Manfred tossed out the idea of splitting MLB into East and West conferences, a bit like what the NBA and NHL do. That shift could set up a postseason that’s all about inter-conference showdowns.
It might add some extra drama and make the playoff logistics a little simpler. Sounds fun, right?
The Road to 32 Teams
Manfred’s been eyeing expansion for a while. He’s aiming to add two new teams before he retires in 2029.
Going from 30 to 32 franchises would expand MLB’s reach and let the league try out new competitive setups, maybe even something closer to what other sports leagues do.
Top Contenders for New Franchises
Right now, two cities keep popping up:
- Nashville – The city’s booming, with a real love for sports and a strong minor league scene.
- Salt Lake City – It’s a growing market, and fans there have shown up for the NBA and other pro sports bids.
Other cities might jump in, but Nashville and Salt Lake City seem to have the edge when it comes to infrastructure, interested owners, and population growth.
Potential Future Division Formats
If MLB jumps to 32 teams, the divisions have to change. Two main ideas are floating around:
- Eight divisions of four teams – Think NFL-style, with tighter groups and heated rivalries.
- Four divisions of eight teams – More like the NHL, with bigger divisions and a mix of matchups.
Impact on Rivalries and Scheduling
Realignment could shake up old rivalries—some might get even more intense, while new ones could pop up based on geography. Scheduling might finally get easier, too, with teams not having to crisscross the country as much.
Players have been asking for less travel for ages. Maybe this is finally the moment it happens.
The Bigger Picture for Baseball’s Future
No one’s announced an official expansion yet, but Manfred’s tone makes it feel inevitable. It’s more of a “when” than an “if” at this point.
New markets, less travel, smarter TV scheduling, and a fresh league format could really push baseball into a new chapter. But honestly, trying to balance tradition with all this innovation? That’s going to be tough, especially for a sport so tied to its own history.
Fans, players, and owners are all waiting to see what happens next. One thing feels obvious — MLB’s looking for a future that matches the competitive balance and business savvy of other big North American sports.
If Manfred gets his way, baseball by 2029 might not look much like the game we grew up with. Maybe that’s exciting. Maybe it’s a little unsettling. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
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If you want, I could put together a speculative East-West divisional breakdown for a possible 32-team MLB format. That kind of thing might pull in curious fans searching for “MLB expansion projections.” Want me to add it?
Here is the source article for this story: Rob Manfred Hints at MLB Realignment if it Undergoes Expansion
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