A "simple form of realignment being seriously considered has been raised in the labor talks" between MLB and the MLBPA, according to sources cited by Buster Olney of ESPN.com. The realignment would see "two leagues of 15 teams, rather than the current structure" of 16 teams in the NL and 14 in the AL. One exec said that "one consideration that has been raised in ownership committee meetings is eliminating the divisions altogether, so that 15 AL and 15 NL teams would vie for five playoff spots within each league." A source said that the MLBPA "has indicated that it is open to the idea of two 15-team leagues, but that the whole plan still hasn't been talked through or presented to the owners." Two execs believe that the Astros "would be a possibility" to switch to the AL because such a move "would foster a rivalry" with the Rangers (ESPN.com, 6/11). A source suggested that the Marlins "could be another candidate" to move to the AL. Sources said that the talks "are serious, and while one executive believes the odds of change are less than 50-50, another says this is the type of discussion that can gather momentum and become a reality." The exec said, "It's really important that the players are behind this" (ESPN.com, 6/12). Reds manager Dusty Baker said, "I like the realignment part, to try to even the divisions. Some divisions have six (teams) like us, and other teams have four. Your chance of winning the division playing four is probably better than playing six" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/13).
CHANGE-UP PITCH: Outgoing Astros Owner Drayton McLane said that realignment "has not come up" lately. McLane: "It did early on back in 1994. ... That was when they were trying to get more rivalries. There has not been any discussion in the last 12-14 years." In Houston, Zachary Levine noted while a move to the AL would "put the Astros with their natural geographic rivals," the Rangers, it would "cost them rivalries with the Cubs and Cardinals" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/12). Also in Houston, Richard Justice wrote there is "almost zero downside to the Astros moving to the American League and a long list of very good reasons to do it." The Astros and Rangers "would play each other a dozen or so times a season, and hopefully a real rivalry would be born." Having them in the same division "would have the additional benefit of sparking increased interest in baseball around" Texas. The Astros "wouldn’t be giving up a single thing of consequence, and they'd be gaining plenty" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/12).
MAPPING OUT A PLAN: ESPN.com's Jim Bowden, a former MLB GM, suggested his own form of geographic realignment, with six divisions of five teams each. He wrote, "Geographic rivalries would increase attendance, revenue and excitement in the region where each team is located." Bowden's proposal also "would call for expanded playoffs that would increase the number of teams making the postseason from eight to 12" (ESPN.com, 6/12).
