How the regional realignment in MLB might put an end to long-standing rivalries

MLB Leagues Could See Major Changes with Expansion

The American League and National League have been central to baseball for more than 120 years. As MLB looks to expand in the coming years, there’s speculation that the existing league and division structures could be entirely reimagined.

Consider the possibility of the New York Yankees and Mets sharing a division. Likewise, it’s not hard to imagine the Chicago Cubs and White Sox in the same grouping. With the recent adoption of the universal designated hitter, significant changes could be on the horizon for MLB within the next decade.

Baseball insiders have long hinted at a potential regional realignment. During a recent ESPN broadcast, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was directly questioned about the possibility but didn’t offer any specific details about upcoming rule changes.

Manfred did mention that expansion and restructuring go hand in hand, suggesting that this could shape the future of baseball in a meaningful way.

“I believe that with expansion, there’s a chance to reorganize geographically,” he noted. “This could reduce player travel and make our postseason format more appealing to networks like ESPN.” He added that the demand for Major League Baseball in various cities presents a real opportunity for positive expansion.

Though cities like Nashville and regions in North Carolina are considered prime candidates for expansion, any new teams aren’t expected until around 2028 or 2029. While some changes seem a long way off, the potential for redefining league divisions is intriguing.

What might this new MLB landscape look like? A rough idea could be:

East: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies

North: Blue Jays, Tigers, Guardians, Pirates

Central Atlantic: Orioles, Nationals, Braves, a team from North Carolina

South: Rangers, Astros, Rays, Marlins

Great Lakes: Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Twins

Midwest: Royals, Cardinals, Reds, Nashville

Southwest: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Diamondbacks

West: Rockies, Athletics, Giants, Mariners

Of course, this is more of a conceptual draft than a finalized plan. Manfred has already implemented several bold initiatives during his tenure. The introduction of pitch clocks has generally been well-received and is regarded as one of the more successful changes in sports. Additionally, starting runners on second base in extra innings and enlarging bases to encourage steals has become part of the new framework alongside playoff expansions.

Initially, I have mixed feelings about these proposed changes. For instance, I struggle with the idea of separating the Cubs and Cardinals into different divisions. While the traditional distinctions between the AL and NL may be fading, the shift feels overly radical to me.

That said, the pitch clocks suggest that significant alterations can indeed bring positive outcomes in baseball. Change is likely on the way, whether fans embrace it or not. It certainly appears that Manfred has plans that could be viewed as quite ambitious.