Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted at significant changes to the league’s landscape, including expansion and realignment. Several cities are vying for new teams, with Portland, Salt Lake City, Nashville, and Orlando among the most promising candidates.
Manfred expressed a desire to expand and geographically realign the league, citing benefits such as reduced travel wear and tear on players, and an enhanced postseason format that would appeal to broadcasters like ESPN. This could lead to a major overhaul of baseball’s framework, potentially replacing the current American and National Leagues with a new system.
The potential changes have been met with excitement from fans and analysts alike, who are imagining a revised league structure that could bring new rivalries and competitive dynamics to the game. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Manfred’s comments suggest that MLB is indeed considering expansion and realignment in the future.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/sports/2025/08/so-long-al-central-mlb-commissioner-hints-toward-major-realignment.html