Division Re-alignment by region?

[JasonMath1679667476]

I know that there have been some threads here in the past about division re-alignment, but I have a new idea for the teams. The AL and NL get changed to leagues representing the west (Western and Midwestern States) and east (mostly Atlantic seaboard states). The teams would stay in the same division unless the number of teams changes, or a team moves from one city to another. For this to happen, the leagues would probably have to agree on rules regarding the designated hitter.

 

Anyways, here is my list, based on this location map:

 

AL Northeast       AL North-Central       AL Southeast       NL Central       NL West       NL California
Red Sox            Blue Jays              Orioles            Cubs             Astros        Padres
Yankees            Indians                Nationals          White Sox        Rangers       Dodgers
Mets               Tigers                 Braves             Cardinals        Diamondbacks  Angels
Phillies           Reds                   Rays               Royals           Rockies       Giants
                  Pirates                Marlins            Twins            Mariners      Athletics 
                                                            Brewers                             

 

If the California teams don't mind being split up, the NL California division could be the NL Pacific division, with the Mariners going to the Pacific, and the Padres going to the West.

 

This new alignment would reduce travel costs not only within the divisions, but also within the leagues. In addition, cities and states with two teams would be able to have games much more often than with the current alignment. In fact, the only state with two teams in different divisions is Pennsylvania (with the Phillies and the Pirates).

 

What do you think of this idea?

[Backtobanks]

I know that there have been some threads here in the past about division re-alignment, but I have a new idea for the teams. The AL and NL get changed to leagues representing the west (Western and Midwestern States) and east (mostly Atlantic seaboard states). The teams would stay in the same division unless the number of teams changes, or a team moves from one city to another. For this to happen, the leagues would probably have to agree on rules regarding the designated hitter.

 

Anyways, here is my list, based on this location map:

 

AL Northeast       AL North-Central       AL Southeast       NL Central       NL West       NL California
Red Sox            Blue Jays              Orioles            Cubs             Astros        Padres
Yankees            Indians                Nationals          White Sox        Rangers       Dodgers
Mets               Tigers                 Braves             Cardinals        Diamondbacks  Angels
Phillies           Reds                   Rays               Royals           Rockies       Giants
                  Pirates                Marlins            Twins            Mariners      Athletics 
                                                            Brewers                             

 

If the California teams don't mind being split up, the NL California division could be the NL Pacific division, with the Mariners going to the Pacific, and the Padres going to the West.

 

This new alignment would reduce travel costs not only within the divisions, but also within the leagues. In addition, cities and states with two teams would be able to have games much more often than with the current alignment. In fact, the only state with two teams in different divisions is Pennsylvania (with the Phillies and the Pirates).

 

What do you think of this idea?

 

First thought, move the Twins to AL North-Central and move the Pirates to AL Northeast giving each division 5 teams and each league 15 teams along with keeping some geographic integrity.

[davearm2]

First thought, move the Twins to AL North-Central and move the Pirates to AL Northeast giving each division 5 teams and each league 15 teams along with keeping some geographic integrity.

You can't have an odd number of teams in a league without either a) having interleague play all year long, or b) always having one team in each league off for 3-4 days. The latter is definitely not workable, and the former would get very strong opposition.

[Guest]

He's already moving half the AL to the NL and vice-versa, I don't think constant interleague would be the stumbling block that would trip this plan up. It'd come much further up the line, like when they propose moving half the AL to the NL and vice-versa.

[evv98]

There isn't a team that would agree to be the sacrificial lamb fifth team in the AL-Northeast.

[NCCubFan]

Personally, I think if there would be any realignment it would come along with adding two expansion teams to have two 16-team leagues. If they don't want to put both expansion teams in the L I could see one team being shifted from the NL to the AL and adding one expansion team to each league. I think any real realignment would come within the leagues rather than between (maybe similar to when the NFL went to 32 teams).

[TruffleShuffle]

There isn't a team that would agree to be the sacrificial lamb fifth team in the AL-Northeast.

 

none of those teams should agree to it. you'd have this year's 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th-biggest payrolls in the same division. then you have the AL southeast with a bunch of small to mid market teams.

[Sammy Sofa]

There isn't a team that would agree to be the sacrificial lamb fifth team in the AL-Northeast.

 

Sure there is. I could easily see the Pirates doing it just to get the additional ticket revenue from those fanbases coming to PNC.

[baseballfan50]

I don't like the idea of realignment.

 

Although, in this scenario the NL Central probably wouldn't be a lot harder.

 

Still, taking teams that have been in the NL for over 100 years and putting them in the AL just doesn't make sense to me. I think any benefits of realignment would be outweighed by the drawbacks.

[Derwood]

if it ain't broke...