Realignment in baseball stirred up some sour feelings.
When commissioner Rob Manfred pointed out that Major League Baseball expansion could also mean realigning the divisions and conferences, the baseball world had itself a tizzy, speculating that it would ruin decades-long rivalries, among other traditions of America’s Pastime.
MLB analyst and former Yankee Cameron Maybin was one of those firmly in the anti-realignment camp.
“Manfred’s realignment talk isn’t just about moving teams around, it tilts playoff balance. Some divisions get watered down others overloaded and rivalries that drive October storylines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity, not manufactured shakeups,” former Yankee and Mets outfielder Cameron Maybin posted on X.
In the speculated potential realignment, the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Red Sox – four teams that have won a combined six World Series since the start of the 2004 season and are constantly near the top of MLB in payroll – would be in the same division due to their proximity.
With 28.6% of the last twenty World Series winner potentially being in the same division, Maybin speculated that these changes would dramatically affect competitive balance within the league as well.
Meanwhile, the new-look South Division, which could in theory feature an expansion team in Nashville, Tenn., as well as the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, would feature zero current teams with records above .500 and just one World Series win since 2004.
In the proposed revamped Central division, the Cardinals, Reds and White Sox all have payrolls in the bottom half of the league, with only the Cubs (eighth in payroll) having the look of a team ready to spend big to win.
Baseball has already changed quite a bit in recent years, with the National League instituting the designated hitter and both leagues have expanded postseasons in recent years.
Mets broadcaster Howie Rose called the potential realignment “total destruction” if the American and National League cease to exist.
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay was among the more open-minded about it, saying its “worth a try.”