During an interview on ESPN’s Sunday Night time Baseball broadcast, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that skilled baseball may very well be near a serious change in its construction.
Rob Manfred overtly addressed the potential for a geographic realignment of divisions, tied to an growth plan that would come with the addition of two new groups to the league earlier than his retirement, which is scheduled for 2029.
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Manfred defined that the principle objective of this proposal is to scale back journey for gamers, enhance recreation instances for followers and make the postseason extra engaging to tv networks.
MLB desires to maneuver nearer to the NBA mannequin
Manfred made it clear that realignment wouldn’t essentially imply the demise of the Nationwide and American Leagues, however it might imply a shift to a mannequin extra just like that of the NBA or NHL, the place groups are grouped by area.
If we develop, that offers us the chance to realign geographically
These statements occurred through the Little League Classic between the Mets and the Mariners.
“I believe we might cut back the damage and tear on our gamers when it comes to journey. And our postseason format can be much more engaging,” added Manfred
Beneath this scheme, groups corresponding to the Yankees and Mets might go from dealing with one another six instances a season to competing in the identical division, which might imply as much as 13 video games a 12 months with direct implications for the standings. A situation that, for some followers, can be thrilling, however has additionally been met with skepticism by the extra traditionalist sector.
Extra regional video games, much less journey and extra accessible schedules
One other necessary level in Manfred’s imaginative and prescient is the development in broadcast schedules. The commissioner argued {that a} geographical realignment would keep away from postseason clashes between groups from reverse coasts at instances which might be inconvenient for followers.
“That 10 p.m. time slot, which is typically an issue with video games like Boston-Anaheim, would turn into a possibility for the West Coast viewers,” defined Manfred.
Regardless of the logistical benefits, some sectors of the general public have already expressed their issues. Sports activities commentator Evan Roberts wrote on X: “Manfred confirms what all of us knew. The novel geographic realignment is coming. Mets and Yankees in the identical division is inevitable.”
Attainable cities for MLB growth
Though Manfred didn’t give particular names, media retailers corresponding to USA In the present day have pointed to Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, and Nashville, Tennessee, because the main candidates to host new Main League Baseball groups
The growth would permit for an additional balancing of the new geographic mannequin that Manfred proposes to implement.
In the long run, these adjustments might fully redefine the best way followers expertise the common season and postseason {of professional} baseball.
