SALT LAKE CITY – Major League Baseball (MLB) stands at the cusp of a significant transformation, one that could reshape the league's structure in ways not seen for many years. This potential shift may encompass not just expansion but also realignment and a major reorganization of the teams within the league.
During an engaging conversation on WFAN with hosts Craig Carton and Chris McGonigle on January 8, 2026, Commissioner Rob Manfred unveiled parts of his ambitious plan.
"I believe expanding to 32 teams would be a favorable move for us," Manfred expressed. "When demand for your product is high, it’s important to find ways to meet that demand."
The concept of having 32 teams, akin to the NFL's model, offers the advantage of evenly distributing teams into four divisions of 16, allowing for geographical alignment that enhances rivalries and fan engagement. Manfred emphasized, "Our goal is to keep teams in large markets like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles separated."
So, which cities are in the running for the coveted MLB expansion franchises? There has been persistent speculation that when MLB decides to expand, it will likely add one team in the eastern United States and another in the western part of the country.
Currently, Nashville, Tennessee, is being touted as a leading contender for the eastern franchise, which would help broaden baseball's presence in the southern region. Charlotte, North Carolina, has also been mentioned in discussions, although there’s no active group advocating for a team there at this moment.
In the western U.S., if the Oakland Athletics successfully relocate to Las Vegas, cities like Portland, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah, are emerging as strong candidates for the new franchise.
Previously, Manfred mentioned that before seriously considering the addition of two new teams, he aims to resolve the ongoing stadium situation concerning the Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Athletics made headlines when they broke ground on a new 35,000-seat stadium in Las Vegas back in June 2025. It’s anticipated that they’ll spend two more seasons at Sutter Health Park, home to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, after concluding their tenure in Oakland post-2024.
As for the Rays, they will return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season following significant damages inflicted by Hurricane Milton, which forced the team to play at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ Spring Training facility, during the 2025 season. The franchise remains on the hunt for a new stadium in the Tampa Bay area, but as of now, no concrete plans have been finalized.
The move towards 32 teams would likely necessitate a divisional realignment, which raises an intriguing question: Could this restructuring diminish the essence of traditional rivalries such as the Yankees versus Red Sox, Cubs versus Cardinals, and Dodgers versus Giants?
With thoughtful planning aimed at preserving the spirit of the game, a well-conceived realignment could maintain these historic matches while also fostering fresh rivalries. Here's a possible outline of how the American League could be organized into four divisions:
Potential American League Four-Division Alignment
AL West
* Los Angeles Angels
* Las Vegas Athletics
* Expansion franchise from Portland or Salt Lake City
* Seattle Mariners
AL South
* Colorado Rockies
* Houston Astros
* Kansas City Royals
* Texas Rangers
AL North
* Chicago White Sox
* Cleveland Guardians
* Detroit Tigers
* Minnesota Twins
AL East
* Baltimore Orioles
* Boston Red Sox
* New York Yankees
* Toronto Blue Jays
And here's a potential layout for the National League:
Potential National League Four-Division Alignment
NL West
* Arizona Diamondbacks
* Los Angeles Dodgers
* San Diego Padres
* San Francisco Giants
NL North
* Chicago Cubs
* Cincinnati Reds
* Milwaukee Brewers
* St. Louis Cardinals
NL South
* Atlanta Braves
* Expansion franchise from Charlotte or Nashville
* Miami Marlins
* Tampa Bay Rays
NL East
* New York Mets
* Philadelphia Phillies
* Pittsburgh Pirates
* Washington Nationals
This proposed realignment would require the Rays and Rockies to transition to different leagues, yet it aims to preserve many critical regional rivalries that are essential for the sport’s identity. Notably, no team has switched leagues since the Houston Astros made their move from the National League Central to the American League West in 2013; prior to that, the Milwaukee Brewers switched from the American League to the National League during the 1998 expansion, which welcomed the Rays and Diamondbacks.
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