MLB Considers Expansion to 32 Teams, Realignment

Commissioner Rob Manfred hints at major league restructuring, including new teams in the East and West.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:44am by

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game from multiple angles, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the major changes coming to MLB's structure and divisions.A conceptual illustration of the potential realignment and expansion of Major League Baseball, breaking down the sport's geography and rivalries into a dynamic, cubist composition.Portland Today

Major League Baseball is exploring a major expansion to 32 teams, which would trigger a complete league realignment. Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed interest in adding new franchises, potentially in Nashville, Tennessee, and either Portland, Oregon, or Salt Lake City, Utah. This shift would require the league to reorganize its divisional structure, raising questions about preserving traditional rivalries while creating new ones.

Why it matters

Expanding to 32 teams and realigning the divisions would be the biggest change to MLB's structure in decades, impacting the sport's geography, rivalries, and overall fan experience. Fans are eager to see how the league will balance preserving iconic matchups with sparking new regional competitions.

The details

Under the proposed 32-team structure, the American and National Leagues would each be divided into four 4-team divisions based on geography. This would require the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays to switch leagues. The new divisional alignments aim to maintain historic rivalries like Yankees-Red Sox and Cubs-Cardinals, while potentially creating new ones, such as a Nashville or Charlotte expansion team facing off against the Atlanta Braves.

  • In a recent interview, Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that he would 'like to expand' MLB to 32 teams.
  • Manfred has said he wants to resolve stadium issues for the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays before seriously considering expansion.

The players

Rob Manfred

The Commissioner of Major League Baseball, who has publicly discussed plans to expand the league to 32 teams and realign the divisions.

Oakland Athletics

The MLB team that is currently working to build a new stadium in Las Vegas, which could pave the way for expansion in the Western U.S.

Tampa Bay Rays

The MLB team that is returning to its home stadium, Tropicana Field, after a temporary relocation due to Hurricane Milton, another issue Manfred wants resolved before expansion.

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What they’re saying

“I would like to expand. Think 32 (teams) would be a good number for us.”

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball

What’s next

Manfred has stated that resolving the stadium issues for the Athletics and Rays is a priority before seriously considering expansion. The league will also need to determine the specific cities and franchises that will make up the 32-team structure and new divisional alignments.

The takeaway

MLB's potential expansion to 32 teams and divisional realignment represents a major shakeup that could significantly impact the sport's geography, rivalries, and overall fan experience. While preserving iconic matchups is crucial, the league must also find ways to create new, exciting regional competitions that energize the sport's fanbase.