Major League Baseball (MLB) stands on the edge of a big change. Rumors are flying about adding two new expansion teams.
This move could bring in fresh talent and introduce new fanbases. But it also means MLB will have to rethink how its divisions are set up.
So, what might this look like? Let’s take a stab at predicting which cities could land these expansion teams and how MLB might shuffle its divisions to fit a 32-team league.
MLB’s Expansion: A New Era of Baseball
Expanding to 32 teams has been a hot topic for years. Now, it feels like MLB is finally ready to make it happen.
Bringing in two new teams would be a huge step for the league. It could open the door for new cities to join the baseball world and shake up the competition.
Potential Cities for Expansion
Plenty of cities have popped up as possible homes for these new teams. Here are a few that keep coming up:
- Montreal, Quebec: Montreal’s got history. The city loved the Expos until they moved to Washington, D.C., back in 2004. Folks there would probably welcome baseball back with open arms.
- Portland, Oregon: Portland’s appetite for sports keeps growing. With the NBA and MLS doing well, and a lively culture, it seems like a natural fit for MLB.
- Charlotte, North Carolina: Charlotte is booming. The city’s already home to successful NFL and NBA teams, and its sports market just keeps getting stronger.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Vegas has jumped into pro sports recently. The NHL’s Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders have both found a home there, so adding MLB could make sense.
Implications of Expansion
Jumping to 32 teams will definitely shake things up. There’s more money to be made, but also a bunch of logistical headaches to figure out.
Revenue and Market Growth
New teams mean new streams of cash. Think bigger TV deals, more merch, and ticket sales in untapped markets.
Montreal and Portland, for example, could bring in fans who haven’t had a team to root for in years—or ever.
Talent Distribution
Spreading talent around is always tricky with expansion. MLB would probably hold an expansion draft, letting new teams pick from existing rosters.
That process has to be fair, or the league risks ending up with a few powerhouse teams and a bunch of stragglers.
Realignment of Divisions
Two new teams means MLB has to shuffle its divisions. Right now, there are six divisions split between the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
Here’s one way things could shake out:
American League
- AL East: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays
- AL Central: Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins
- AL South: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Miami Marlins, New Expansion Team 1 (maybe Charlotte?)
- AL West: Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, New Expansion Team 2 (say, Portland)
National League
- NL East: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates
- NL Central: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies
- NL South: Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, New Expansion Team 3 (Las Vegas?), New Expansion Team 4 (Montreal?)
- NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies
Challenges and Considerations
There’s plenty of excitement, but also a lot of hurdles MLB has to clear. Nothing’s ever simple in pro sports.
Logistical Challenges
Scheduling 32 teams isn’t easy. MLB has to keep travel reasonable and make sure the season stays fair for everyone.
And let’s not forget: the new cities need stadiums that are ready to go. Nobody wants a season delayed by construction.
Competitive Balance
Keeping things fair is crucial. The expansion draft helps new teams build rosters, but MLB has to avoid gutting the existing teams.
Figuring out how these teams fit into the playoff picture? That’s another puzzle the league will have to solve.
Conclusion
The idea of MLB expanding to 32 teams feels like a big moment for the league. Cities like Montreal, Portland, Charlotte, and Las Vegas are all in the mix, and honestly, each one brings its own flavor.
Fans are probably already dreaming up new rivalries and imagining the next wave of talent. Of course, the league still has to figure out realignment, scheduling, and how to keep things fair for everyone.
If you’re curious about possible new teams and how the divisions might shake out, there’s a pretty detailed article over at predicting MLB’s 2 expansion teams and 8-division breakdown. Worth a look if you ask me.
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