MLB Expansion and re-alignment: what it might look like

PSUColonel · 01-05-2016, 10:53 AM

Of course it would depend where the league decides to expand (I've heard Mexico City for sure) so here is my attempt to redesign the MLB largely by geographic, as well as traditional rivals. Take a look and feel free to weigh in on what your thoughts may be.

NL North:

1. Cardinals
2. Cubs
3. Colorado
4. Brewers

NL East:

1. Phillies
2. Mets
3 Pirates
4. Indians

NL South:

1. Braves
2. Marlins
3. Nationals
4. New Charlotte franchise

NL West:

1. Padres
2. Dodgers
3. Giants
4. Diamondbacks

AL North:

1. Reds
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. White Sox

AL East:

1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Orioles
4. Blue Jays

AL South:

1. Rangers
2. Astros
3. Rays
4. Royals

AL West:

1. Angels
2. Mariners
3. Athletics
4. New Mexico City Franchise

Le Grande Orange · 01-05-2016, 05:13 PM

No. A thousand times no to four-team divisions.

PotatoPeeler · 01-05-2016, 05:20 PM

With the level of parity the league operates at today, I think going back to two divisions in each league and only four playoff teams would be really interesting to see.

ThatSeventiesGuy · 01-05-2016, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

With the level of parity the league operates at today, I think going back to two divisions in each league and only four playoff teams would be really interesting to see.

I'd love to see that, and it's how I set up my semi-historical, but I doubt it. They'll only do two divisions in each league if they also increase the number of wild cards. Our Corporate Masters and their playing employees must have their playoff money, you know.

Also, I somehow see them going to Vegas before Charlotte, but either could work. Mexico City is definitely a future expansion target. I could see San Juan being one, too, if Puerto Rico can ever get their monetary troubles in order.

Le Grande Orange · 01-05-2016, 08:06 PM

Forget 32 teams, get to 36 so there can be three divisions of six teams in each league. Scheduling alone would be greatly simplified with such a setup, with or without interleague play.

RchW · 01-05-2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Forget 32 teams, get to 36 so there can be three divisions of six teams in each league. Scheduling alone would be greatly simplified with such a setup, with or without interleague play.

Exactly. This would be MLB nirvana.

Bluenoser · 01-05-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Forget 32 teams, get to 36 so there can be three divisions of six teams in each league. Scheduling alone would be greatly simplified with such a setup, with or without interleague play.

Ideally, (I know it would never fly) 3 division winners and 1 WC make play-offs.

I'm sure the revenue hungry types would include at least 3 WC's though

Le Grande Orange · 01-05-2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

Exactly. This would be MLB nirvana.

Well, I don't know about nirvana. That for me would be the old 24-team years. Two divisions of six teams in each league, with only the division winners making the post-season? Ahhhh...

RchW · 01-05-2016, 08:29 PM

Fair enough but otherwise... ...

Cobra Mgr · 01-05-2016, 10:12 PM

The game of baseball doesn't capture the national interest like it used to. There is no way they could sustain a dilution of the product by adding 6 franchises.

To me, the only purpose any one in the league office could have for expansion is the fees it would create & to dump some unwanted salaries into a draft. It would offer no benefit to the game itself.

RchW · 01-05-2016, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

The game of baseball doesn't capture the national interest like it used to. There is no way they could sustain a dilution of the product by adding 6 franchises.

To me, the only purpose any one in the league office could have for expansion is the fees it would create & to dump some unwanted salaries into a draft. It would offer no benefit to the game itself.

I think it's absolutely the opposite. You appear to be Americocentric. An immediate expansion to 32 with a further expansion to 36 in about 4 years would work. By the 36 team league Vancouver, Montreal and Mexico City would be great markets. It's conceivable that a PR/DR franchise might be feasible.

Baseball is in its best situation in history.

Le Grande Orange · 01-05-2016, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I think it's absolutely the opposite. You appear to be Americocentric. An immediate expansion to 32 with a further expansion to 36 in about 4 years would work. By the 36 team league Vancouver, Montreal and Mexico City would be great markets.

And that doesn't even take into account major U.S. cities that are potentially major league level in terms of per capita income and population size compared to existing cities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

It's conceivable that a PR/DR franchise might be feasible.

The per capita income in Puerto Rico is too low compared to mainland U.S. cities.

Cobra Mgr · 01-05-2016, 11:46 PM

Just because there are fans in other countries doesn't mean they would make good franchise locations. Canada is always at a disadvantage because of the tax situation. Mexico City has pollution & corruption problems. The entire country of Puerto Rico is bankrupt. Those places would have to home grow their players thru the farm system & not be players in the free agency market. Then, most likely lose those farm players when their contracts are up. And once more....the dilution of the product. Hardly anybody can staff a rotation with 3 decent starters. Now you're going to add 30 more mediocre AAA hurlers throwing 1st pitches? Jamie Moyer will still find a job @ 60.

Edit: BTW, Vancouver? They don't even have a CFL team.

Le Grande Orange · 01-06-2016, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Edit: BTW, Vancouver? They don't even have a CFL team.

That would come as a surprise to the B.C. Lions, which have been playing in Vancouver since its inception in 1954.

Lukas Berger · 01-06-2016, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

The entire country of Puerto Rico is bankrupt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

That would come as a surprise to the B.C. Lions, which have been playing in Vancouver since its inception in 1954.

Agreed on Vancouver and umm, Puerto Rico is a country now?

RchW · 01-06-2016, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukasberger

Agreed on Vancouver and umm, Puerto Rico is a country now?

Tough to argue with such overwhelming knowledge.

Leo_The_Lip · 01-06-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukasberger

Agreed on Vancouver and umm, Puerto Rico is a country now?

As much as Scotland and Wales!

PSUColonel · 01-06-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Forget 32 teams, get to 36 so there can be three divisions of six teams in each league. Scheduling alone would be greatly simplified with such a setup, with or without interleague play.

That's interesting/ and something I hadn't considered...this makes a lot of sense

PotatoPeeler · 01-06-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatSeventiesGuy

I'd love to see that, and it's how I set up my semi-historical, but I doubt it.

Yeah, there's no way it'll ever be like that again but a guy can dream.

jollyschwa · 01-06-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Well, I don't know about nirvana. That for me would be the old 24-team years. Two divisions of six teams in each league, with only the division winners making the post-season? Ahhhh...

That's my ideal setup too. Although I'd be happy with any number of teams as long as there was enough talent to fill each one of them, I never let a league in OOTP get bigger than 24. Personally, that's the highest number my brain can handle for immersion

01-05-2016, 10:53 AM	#1
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,990 Blog Entries: 37	MLB Expansion and re-alignment: what it might look like Of course it would depend where the league decides to expand (I've heard Mexico City for sure) so here is my attempt to redesign the MLB largely by geographic, as well as traditional rivals. Take a look and feel free to weigh in on what your thoughts may be. NL North: 1. Cardinals 2. Cubs 3. Colorado 4. Brewers NL East: 1. Phillies 2. Mets 3 Pirates 4. Indians NL South: 1. Braves 2. Marlins 3. Nationals 4. New Charlotte franchise NL West: 1. Padres 2. Dodgers 3. Giants 4. Diamondbacks AL North: 1. Reds 2. Twins 3. Tigers 4. White Sox AL East: 1. Yankees 2. Red Sox 3. Orioles 4. Blue Jays AL South: 1. Rangers 2. Astros 3. Rays 4. Royals AL West: 1. Angels 2. Mariners 3. Athletics 4. New Mexico City Franchise

01-05-2016, 05:20 PM	#3
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	With the level of parity the league operates at today, I think going back to two divisions in each league and only four playoff teams would be really interesting to see. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

01-05-2016, 08:29 PM	#9
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The big smoke Posts: 15,628	Fair enough but otherwise... ... __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

01-05-2016, 11:46 PM	#13
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 6,393	Just because there are fans in other countries doesn't mean they would make good franchise locations. Canada is always at a disadvantage because of the tax situation. Mexico City has pollution & corruption problems. The entire country of Puerto Rico is bankrupt. Those places would have to home grow their players thru the farm system & not be players in the free agency market. Then, most likely lose those farm players when their contracts are up. And once more....the dilution of the product. Hardly anybody can staff a rotation with 3 decent starters. Now you're going to add 30 more mediocre AAA hurlers throwing 1st pitches? Jamie Moyer will still find a job @ 60. Edit: BTW, Vancouver? They don't even have a CFL team. Last edited by Cobra Mgr; 01-05-2016 at 11:53 PM.

01-05-2016, 05:13 PM	#2
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,413	No. A thousand times no to four-team divisions.

01-05-2016, 08:06 PM	#5
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,413	Forget 32 teams, get to 36 so there can be three divisions of six teams in each league. Scheduling alone would be greatly simplified with such a setup, with or without interleague play.

01-05-2016, 10:12 PM	#10
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 6,393	The game of baseball doesn't capture the national interest like it used to. There is no way they could sustain a dilution of the product by adding 6 franchises. To me, the only purpose any one in the league office could have for expansion is the fees it would create & to dump some unwanted salaries into a draft. It would offer no benefit to the game itself.