Currently MLB has 14 AL teams and 16 NL teams. Watching a Cubs @Phillies game today i heard Cubs announcers Bob Brenly and Len Kasper mention that MLB executives are seriously discussing the possibility of realigning to 15 NL teams and 15 AL teams. The idea is to send 1 National League team over to the American League. The Houston Astros were mentioned as the leading candidate to leave the NL Central (6teams) and join the American League, also being considered are the Florida Marlins. The AL West is the only division in either league with only 4 teams so a team will likely shift over here.
The MLB last realigned in 1998 when the Milwaukee Brewers left the AL east and joined the NL Central (which is the same year MLB last expanded when Tampa Bay-AL and Arizona-NL became franchises.)Furthermore, MLB is considering to eliminate divisional play and change the playoff format, where the top 5 teams in each 15 team league would advance. Wildcard(s), byes for 1st place??
Realignment to 15 teams in both leagues aims several things, mainly to achieve more days of rest for ballclubs during the grueling 162 game season. Current MLB scheduling gives only 1 or 2 days off per month to each team from April-Sept. Under the proposed realignment a max of 28 teams per day (7 NL games 7 AL games) would play with 1 team in each league resting (rotation). During interleague play all 30 teams could be matched up on the same day.
AL East (5 teams) 1.NY Yankees 2. Boston Red Sox 3. Toronto 4. Baltimore 5.Tampa Bay 6.????
AL Central (5 teams) 1.CHI White Sox 2. Minnesota 3. Cleveland 4. K.C. Royals 5. Detroit 6.????
AL West (4 teams) 1. Seattle Mariners 2. Oakland A's 3. LA Angels 4. Texas Rangers 5.???? _______________________________________________________________________________ NL West (5 teams) 1. LA Dodgers 2. San Diego 3. Arizona Dbacks 4. San Francisco 5. Colorado
NL Central (6teams) 1.CHI Cubs 2. St. Louis 3. Milwaukee 4. Cincinnati 5. Pittsburgh 6. Houston.
NL East (5 teams) 1. NY Mets 2. Philadelphia 3. DC Nationals 4.Atlanta Braves 5. Florida Marlins.
Also mentioned in the realignment proposal talks is the idea of no more divisional play and the top 5 teams in each league making the playoffs. This idea may make sense somehow in the grand scheme of things, but I for one would hate to lose divisional rivalries like Mets/Phillies, Cubs/Cards, Yankees/Red Sox, Tigers/Indians, Dodgers/Giants and every other storied division rivalry. These rival teams might even still play each other the same amount of games without division play, but fans and foes alike will surely miss gearing up their summer towards beating out the division. For rebuilding teams or struggling teams, being 5th place in their division sounds a lot better then being in 15th place in your league. Free Agency without divsional play would mean Powerwallets like NYY and BOS can hawk players from any team willing to deal, good luck trying to get Baltimore, Tampa, or Toronto to deal within their division now with next year in my mind.
Emily DiDonato
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why not expand to 16 teams in both leagues. 15 AL and 15 NL is tough to schedule, 16 AL and 16 NL makes sense at the rate our country is growing.
Mr. Cooperstown
Cooperstown, Ny, NY
Total Comments (7)
At least the proposed realignment is a better idea then last months discussions to shorten the season from 162 games to 156 to allow more days of rest.
Mr. Cooperstown
Cooperstown, Ny, NY
Total Comments (7)
When the Dodgers franchise collapses, that'll be one less NL team.
smart alec
Total Comments (1056)
Seriously, they owe that dreaded pig Manny 8.1million by June 30th on top of their other woes.
Mr. Cooperstown
Cooperstown, Ny, NY
Total Comments (7)
I think Houston would be more exciting in the AL with a DH then the Marlins. Astros have more of a hitters park and Astros vs. Rangers sounds better then Marlins vs. Rays
Mr. Cooperstown
Cooperstown, Ny, NY
Total Comments (7)
I think realignment is a good idea. The only thing with Houston is that MLB seems to like to have one team from each state in each league. They make the most sense geographically I guess, not really west though. I thought about the Brewers but you would have to kick an AL central team over. Don't like that Miller Park with a DH either.
I don't care for more playoff teams. You play a 162 games, there should only be the divisional winners and one wildcard. After that many games we don't need additional series to break down the field.
BuckyBadger.
Total Comments (2791)
Contraction. 14 and 14.
YODA
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (7422)
16 teams in each league could play each team in league 10 games for total of 150 games , no interleague play, or 15 teams in each league play 14 teams 11 games each for total of 154 games or 14 teams in each league play 13 teams 12 games each 156 games every team in each league should play the same schedule . 5 teams in the playoffs with 2 seed playing the 5 seed and 3 seed playing the 4 seed and the 2 winner playing each other and then the winner playing the 1 seed. all series would be best of 7
braves fan 2011
Total Comments (1)
There are two problems I see with this proposal:
1. "Under the proposed realignment a max of 28 teams per day (7 NL games 7 AL games) would play with 1 team in each league resting (rotation). During interleague play all 30 teams could be matched up on the same day. "
Everybody plays Friday, Staturday, and Sunday. This when MLB gets large attendence to its games; especially small market teams. So unless they schedule interleague games throughout the season, on weekends, is the only way I see this working.
2. "Wildcard(s), byes for 1st place??" Giving a bye to a team in baseball, can be more harmful than helpful. Players and teams in baseball need to continue their regular competition in order to preform at a high level. Having to wait for a 5 or 7 series to get over, maybe too long. Team and players will get rusty.
KC Rohn
Kansas City , MO
Total Comments (118)
There are not enough good pitchers for 32 teams. Each team will have to have 4 starting pictches and 1 good closer. I can argue that there is not enough good major league pitchers for all current 30 teams.
KC Rohn
Kansas City , MO
Total Comments (118)
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