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426 sats \ 15 comments \ @grayruby 21 Mar Stacker_Sports

It is not secret that MLB would like to add 2 more team to move to a total of 32 franchises like the NFL before the end of the decade. The current frontrunners for new franchises are Nashville and Salt Lake City (with Portland also being a candidate for a western add).

Once expansion is complete the MLB wants to realign teams based on geography. There are a few options. The first being is go divisionless- just have two leagues with 16 teams (lame). The second would be to have 2 leagues with 2 divisions of 8 teams each- likely east and west but they may name them something else. And the final and my preferred option being to model realignment after the NFL. Two leagues with 4 divisions based on geography (north, east, south, west).

So I thought it would be fun to breakdown what MLB divisions could look like after expansion and NFL style realignment. I will be adding Nashville and Salt Lake City as my expansion teams and realigning NFL style.

American League

North Division Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Guardians Detroit Tigers Toronto Blue Jays

East Division Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox New York Yankees Washington Nationals

South Division Arizona Diamondbacks Houston Astros Kansas City Royals Texas Rangers

West Division Los Angeles Angels LV A's Salt Lake City Baseball Club Seattle Mariners

National League

North Division Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Minnesota Twins Milwaukee Brewers

East Division Atlanta Braves NY Mets Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates

South Division Miami Marlins Nashville Baseball Club St Louis Cardinals Tampa Bay Rays

West Division Colorado Rockies LA Dodgers SD Padres SF Giants

The placements I dislike the most are the Reds and DBacks. It is difficult to dissolve the central divisions. Maybe next week I will try again with East, Central East, Central West, West divisions. I think that might work better. Even the NFL has some odd placements like the Cowboys in the East while the Titans and Colts are in the south. Chiefs in the West doesn't seem right either.

It was a fun exercise regardless. Let me know what you would change.

Sats for all, GR

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40 sats \ 1 reply \ @Jer 21 Mar

Run that North Division right into my veins

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 Mar

I almost moved the Jays back to the East and then I thought of how disappointed you would be. Haha

40 sats \ 4 replies \ @Cje95 21 Mar

I demand that the Stro's be placed in their rightful place of the NATIONAL LEAGUE!

I am not sure I am sold on Salt Lake getting a team yet... I really think they are going to do Montreal. They would then need to be placed in one of the North divisions

I would place them in the AL North move Reds to the NL East move Atlanta to the South St. Louis to the AL South and the DBacks to the AL West

40 sats \ 2 replies \ @Jer 21 Mar

The Astros were my “National League” team. Growing up a 2B, Biggio was my idol. I should really get another NL team.

40 sats \ 1 reply \ @Cje95 21 Mar

Same! You from HTX? Fun Fact Lance Berkman's Aunt lived next door to me while he was at Rice. When Houston drafted him I grew up with photos of him holding me as a wee baby!

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @Jer 21 Mar

Cool!

No, I live in Ontario, Canada.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 Mar

I don't think Montreal will get a team. That made sense when Bell was interested in owning it but Bell is getting out of the sports business. They sold their share in Maple Leafs Sports (Leafs, Raptors, TFC owner) last year.

Also the Canadian dollar is in the toilet right now.

I do like your moves but I don't think Montreal is going to happen.

40 sats \ 1 reply \ @BlokchainB 21 Mar

Arizona is not placed well to me

70 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 Mar

Agree but there is no more room in the west. Other option would be to try to place the Rockies in a south division. Zona is more west but also more south so it doesn't really work either way.

I actually think my other idea to do east, central east, central west and west will work out better.

40 sats \ 5 replies \ @Undisciplined 23 Mar

Unless you start swapping teams between leagues, this looks like the best grouping.

36 sats \ 4 replies \ @grayruby OP 23 Mar

Feel free to swap if it leads to a better grouping.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @Undisciplined 23 Mar

OK, paying no heed to current NL/AL status, here are the optimal eight divisions:

Northwest Seattle Salt Lake San Fransisco Oakland/Sacramento/Vegas

Southwest LAD LAA Arizona San Diego

Plains (Put them in the NL, so @Cje95 stops whining) Colorado KC Texas Houston

Midwest Minnesota Milwaukee Chicago WS St. Louis

South Miami Tampa Atlanta Nashville

Rust Belt Detroit Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago Cubs

""Northeast** Toronto NYY NYM Boston

Mid Atlantic Pittsburg Philly DC Baltimore

There are definitely some tough calls that end up mattering a fair amount.

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @Cje95 24 Mar

A accept this cause NL FOR LYFE BABY!!!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 25 Mar

We are doing a fantasy baseball draft Wednesday night at 8pm. Are you in? We saved one team for you.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 25 Mar

This is pretty good. If they don't want to name them based on geographical regions they can name each division after a baseball legend.