Rob Manfred hinted that geographical realignment for Main League Baseball’s divisions may very well be on the horizon.
The MLB commissioner appeared on ESPN’s broadcast of Sunday evening’s Little League Traditional between the Mets and Mariners when the subject of enlargement and realigned divisions got here up.
Whereas Manfred hinted on the concept of extra geographically pleasant divisions, there was one main catch that got here together with it.
“I believe if we develop, it gives us with a possibility to geographically realign,” Manfred mentioned. “I believe we might save a number of put on and tear on our gamers by way of journey. And I believe our postseason format could be much more interesting for entities like ESPN, since you’d be enjoying out of the East and out of the West.”
MLB hasn’t expanded for the reason that Diamondbacks and Rays entered the league in 1998, however the league is reportedly eying enlargement as soon as the Athletics and Rays clear up their stadium conditions.
Nashville has been among the many listing of cities that may very well be eying bringing an MLB franchise to city and one which the league is all in favour of, in response to USA TODAY.
“I believe the homeowners understand there may be demand for main league baseball in a number of nice cities, and we have now a possibility to do one thing good round that enlargement course of,” Manfred mentioned.
Manfred had beforehand said that he want to add two extra groups to MLB earlier than he retires as commissioner in 2029.
The thought of realignment would seemingly imply the tip of the American League and Nationwide League, bringing baseball extra in keeping with the way in which the NBA and NHL align their divisions.
And it might represent one of many largest shakeups in baseball, which has occurred extra regularly in recent times as Manfred has labored to vary the principles of the sport, schedule and the postseason format with the intention to enhance curiosity.
