MLB is now a 30-team league. The last time Major League Baseball (MLB) expanded was back in 1998, welcoming the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays into the league. This expansion marked the addition of 30 teams overall, with 16 in the National League and 14 in the American League. It’s been a while since then.
According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, the expansion of the MLB to a 32-team league is considered inevitable. Potential cities in the spotlight for this expansion are Nashville and Salt Lake City.
Passan points out two key factors driving this likelihood:
- Substantial expansion fees that current clubs would receive.
- The emergence of “viable” cities across the United States that are attractive to both team owners and the league.
So, how Major League Baseball (MLB) will structure its divisions after expanding to 32 teams?
While there hasn’t been any official announcement or plan for such an expansion, let’s explore how the league might approach this hypothetical scenario.
8 Divisions of 4 Teams (Similar to NFL):
Pros:
Frequent Matchups: With smaller divisions, teams would play against each other more frequently during the regular season. This could enhance regional rivalries and fan engagement.
Reduced Travel Costs: Closer geographical proximity could lead to shorter travel distances between teams within the division, potentially reducing travel time and costs.
Familiar Structure: Adopting a structure similar to the NFL might make it easier for fans to follow and understand, especially for those already familiar with the NFL format.
Cons:
Competitive Balance: Smaller divisions might result in more variability in team strength within each division. This could lead to less competitive balance compared to larger divisions.
Playoff Qualification Challenges: Teams in strong divisions might find it more challenging to qualify for the playoffs, as they would need to outperform other strong teams within their division.
4 Divisions of 8 Teams (Similar to NHL):
Pros:
Balanced Competition: Larger divisions might lead to more balanced competition within each division, as there would be a greater number of teams competing against each other.
Variety of Opponents: Teams would play against a larger pool of opponents during the regular season, promoting diversity in matchups.
Cons:
Increased Travel Distances: Larger divisions could result in increased travel distances, especially for teams located on opposite ends of the country. This might raise concerns about player fatigue and travel costs.
Fan Engagement Challenges: Fans might find it more challenging to keep up with a larger division format, as there would be a greater number of teams to follow and track.
However, the expansion is not on the immediate horizon and may not occur until the early 2030s.
Establishing a new franchise is a time-consuming process, and with current challenges such as the aftermath of Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy, the uncertainties surrounding the Rays’ stadium project, the Oakland A’s potential move to Las Vegas, and the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations in 2026, expansion is not a top priority for MLB at the moment.
