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Structure:

2 Leagues 16 teams in 4 4-team divisions, wherever possible preserving traditional league associations and rivalries. (Only exceptions - Colorado, Tampa Bay swap leagues to have closer divisional opponents) 1 western expansion team and 1 southern expansion team are needed to field even team numbers by league and division with symmetrical alignments.

Schedule:

Ideally no inter-league games. 18 games against teams in the division, 9 versus each team in the rest of the league. Should I not be as omnipotent as I thought and interleague play has to continue, 18 games against teams in division. 8 games versus each team in rest of league. 3 games versus each team in one interleague division – rotating divisions yearly.

Rules:

If interleague play stays, DH is universally adopted. If no interleague play, NL could stay in the dark ages although the DH would be used for the All-Star game and ALL World Series games. 5^th umpire is added in replay booth to review close plays.

Playoffs:

No wild cards. Four division winners qualify. Teams with best records get home field advantage.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays

AL Central

Chicago White Sox

Cleveland Indians

Detroit Tigers

Minnesota Twins

AL South

Colorado Rockies

Houston Astros

Kansas City Royals

Texas Rangers

AL West

Los Angeles Angels

Oakland A’s

Seattle Mariners

Expansion Team 1 (Portland?)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL East

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates

Washington Nationals

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

Cincinnati Reds

Milwaukee Brewers

St. Louis Cardinals

NL South

Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins

Tampa Bay Rays

Expansion Team 2 (New Orleans?, Charlotte? Monterrey?)

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Dodgers

San Diego Padres

San Francisco Giants

The O's and Jays would hate this. How about an expansion team in Brooklyn?

I like the idea, but I think the 4-team divisions give playoff spots to undeserving teams. I'd rather see 2x8 or 5-5-6 for the divisions and have a bit more balanced schedule. I also wouldn't mind seeing a return to 154 games to keep the WS out of November, but that would be a hard sell for ownership

Gil4 - would your proposal of an additional Brooklynn team in the AL East move Toronto to AL central, the Twins to the AL south, and Colorado to the West? You could also swap Toronto to Central and Cleveland the East, but Cleveland and Toronto are so close, you'd want them in the same division if you could manage it.

Teflon - I like it, but one concern. Talent dilution is already becoming an issue, adding two more teams (and all of the development teams that would be required to go with them) may decrease the quality of play, especially starting pitching.

As far as scheduling goes, I really like the proposal. It's fun to think of an expansion team in Monterray Mexico. I think maybe Phoenix might be a good AL West expansion.

would your proposal of an additional Brooklynn team in the AL East move Toronto to AL central, the Twins to the AL south, and Colorado to the West?

Adding Brooklyn could also push Baltimore south and Colorado west, but I still don't like the 4-team divisions. I like it better on second thought than I did initially, but I can still see a sub-.500 team in the playoffs, which would be OK only if it's the Twins.

I don't see talent dilution as an issue. The talent pool is bigger than it has ever been and the system is better at identifying talent. Sports medicine is better at keeping that talent performing at a high level longer.

I think maybe Phoenix might be a good AL West expansion

They already have the D-Backs in the area - They aren't right in Phoenix, but they are as close as the Jets and Giants are to New York.

I like it ,, great plan,, I do like expanding back to Canada instead of Portland, , Vancouver BC may be better .Other Possible teams in NL is Nashville or San Antonio