Rob Manfred Hints at MLB Realignment if it Undergoes Enlargement

The American and National Leagues might soon be gone as we know them. 

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said that if expansion takes place in the near future, the league will likely look to realign teams based on geography.

“I think [expansion and realignment] are associated, in my thoughts,” Manfred stated Sunday on ESPN’s broadcast of the Little League Basic. “I feel if we increase, it offers us with a possibility to geographically realign. I feel we may save a variety of put on and tear on our gamers by way of journey. And I feel our postseason format can be much more interesting for entities like ESPN, since you’d be taking part in out of the East and out of the West.”

Manfred did not explicitly element what realignment would seem like, however he continued to emphasise the concept of groups which can be nearer collectively taking part in extra video games towards each other.

“That 10 o’clock timeslot the place we typically get Boston-Anaheim can be two West Coast groups,” Manfred stated. “That 10 o’clock slot that is an issue for us typically turns into an actual alternative for our West Coast viewers. 

“I feel the homeowners notice that there is demand for Main League Baseball. We’re in a variety of nice cities. Now we have the chance to do one thing good round that enlargement course of.”

MLB has used a geographically-based realignment concept in latest reminiscence. Whereas MLB did not realign divisions, it had a geographically-based schedule for the 60-game 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American and Nationwide Leagues remained in place, however groups solely confronted division rivals and interleague video games towards groups from the corresponding division (AL and NL East, AL and NL Central, AL and NL West) throughout the common season. 

Contemplating Manfred’s feedback, the 2020 season could possibly be a suggestion for what’s to come back if enlargement and realignment had been to happen. It may additionally imply that MLB equally divides its two leagues because the NBA and NHL divide their two conferences.

As for enlargement, Manfred has said previously that he’d wish to see two groups added to MLB earlier than he retires as commissioner in 2029. A handful of cities have been speculated as enlargement candidates in recent times, however MLB believes the strongest two candidates for enlargement are Nashville and Salt Lake Metropolis, USA Right this moment reported in July.

Enlargement would carry the full variety of groups in MLB to 32, seemingly necessitating some type of divisional realignment. If it does occur, the league may both do what the NFL does and have eight divisions of 4 groups or observe the NHL’s path and have 4 divisions of eight groups.

MLB hasn’t expanded because it added the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays in 1998. 

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised publication each day!