Possible expansion and realignment?

[Squirrel]

Not sure what I think about this ... definitely don't like the proposed realignment but I'm okay with eliminating the two leagues. Of course this is all speculative, but I still think 'Ugh!'

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/columnists/expansion-trigger-realignment-longer-postseason/?utm_content=buffer74167&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#UpQ1BQG0e7oGpLD8.97

[nicksaviking]

I'm guessing the author didn't take too many geography classes looking at those divisions.

 

I'm not against change, but I am against a realignment that for some reason has the Twins in a division with clubs all in EST and the closest city is Detroit. Can't see many people happy with breaking up the Yankees and Red Sox either.

[SF Twins Fan]

The expansion would be fine, but if they're going to realign and move the Twins to playing all of the teams on the east coast I would be completely against it.  It would make more sense if the Twins, Brewers, White Sox, Cubs, Royals, Cards, Astros and maybe Colorado were all in the same division.  The Twins would be screwed over if they had to always travel to the east coast.

[kab21]

That is too radical of a change for baseball to bring in. I expect expansion to happen and result in 32 teams at some point though. The one tough thing is that it makes sense to go to 4 four team divisions per league at that point and then there isn't a path for the WC in the playoffs. Or maybe they have two 8 team divisions and two WC's. Both seem like a step backward in keeping as many teams alive in the playoff chase though.

[Respy]

Seems quite speculative.  I like the idea of 8-team divisions, but at least now they are all 5-team instead of some 4-team and some 5-team which was unfair when there was only 1 wild card.

 

I'd say the most notable thing here is that I'd agree there needs to be at least 1 more Canadian team.  Toronto has too many fans (all of Canada).

[Squirrel]

I'm guessing the author didn't take too many geography classes looking at those divisions.

I'm not against change, but I am against a realignment that for some reason has the Twins in a division with clubs all in EST and the closest city is Detroit. Can't see many people happy with breaking up the Yankees and Red Sox either.

Yeah, especially saying that it would cut down costs due to less travel ... and I'm just thinking, 'Yeah, not for the Twins in that scenario.' I'd have to sit down somewhere with a map and paper and figure it out, but I think I could come up with something better given what they think they'd be accomplishing.

[Squirrel]

Seems quite speculative.  I like the idea of 8-team divisions, but at least now they are all 5-team instead of some 4-team and some 5-team which was unfair when there was only 1 wild card.

 

I'd say the most notable thing here is that I'd agree there needs to be at least 1 more Canadian team.  Toronto has too many fans (all of Canada).

Don't say that in front of North or GCTF!

[sftwinsfan]

Then there's the Twins, who would get practically none of their natural rivals and be stuck in with multiple big-market east coast teams.   

[Respy]

 

Yeah, especially saying that it would cut down costs due to less travel ... and I'm just thinking, 'Yeah, not for the Twins in that scenario.' I'd have to sit down somewhere with a map and paper and figure it out, but I think I could come up with something better given what they think they'd be accomplishing.

 

If they're trying to cut costs for travel, they should split up divisions by airline hubs. Based on my personal travel experience, that would save a FORTUNE.

 

Delta division: Minnesota, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York

 

United divisions: Chicago, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC

 

American Airlines division: Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, Arizona, Seattle

 

Everyone else gets Spirit Airlines.

 

 

[laloesch]

 

Not sure what I think about this ... definitely don't like the proposed realignment but I'm okay with eliminating the two leagues. Of course this is all speculative, but I still think 'Ugh!'

http://www.baseballamerica.com/columnists/expansion-trigger-realignment-longer-postseason/?utm_content=buffer74167&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#UpQ1BQG0e7oGpLD8.97

 

I can't see them eliminating the Al & NL and implementing the DH for both leagues.  I do think four, four team divisions in each league DOES make a lot of sense if you add two expansion franchises.  I also like how this balances out the schedule and eliminating 6 games and going to a 156 game schedule is a fantastic idea.    

 

I could also see Portland getting the A's if they don't hammer out a new stadium deal eventually, but an expansion team makes sense as well.  Out east i think a team in Charlotte, NC which is one of the nation's fastest growing metropolises or Raleigh makes a lot of sense.  I'm not too keen on Montreal though.  I have MANY Canadian relatives and 99% of them can give two hoots about baseball and they are not alone.  When asked about baseball many Canadians just chuckle. Canada is DOMINATED by hockey.  Toronto is the one exception in that they are SO BIG and so fortune 500 rich that it has worked out well for them regarding box sales, etc.  

 

Montreal and Quebec in general have all kinds of hurdles for corporations and MLB  regarding French and English TV rights in addition to the Franchophone requirements for owners, employees and coaches.  I suppose all of this could be worked out but it is a real challenge.    

[Squirrel]

Please redirect conversation here:

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/27813-article-expansion-could-alter-mlbs-landscape/?do=findComment&comment=691447