Headlines

  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Astros Likely To Join American League In 2013

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 14, 2011 at 3:12pm CDT

Prospective Astros owner Jim Crane has agreed to move the team to the American League in 2013, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Crane still needs the approval of baseball's other owners. He would get a discount of approximately $50MM to switch leagues, according to Heyman. Bob Nightengale of USA Today says compensation will be in the $80MM range (Twitter link).

The move would even out the two leagues at 15 teams each and create six divisions of five teams, assuming Houston joins the four-team American League West. The shift is tied to the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which may include identical schedules for teams within the same division and boost inter-league play considerably. As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained in his GM Meetings preview, owners are expected to approve the sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Crane this week.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Collective Bargaining Agreement Houston Astros

Heyman On Fielder, Madson, Jurrjens, Capuano
Main
D’Backs Sell Kam Mickolio To Hiroshima Carp
338 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. wickedkevin

    9 years ago

    Does this confirm the two 15 team leagues/no divisions?

    Like
    Reply
    • Wilsonl

      9 years ago

      “and create six divisions of five teams, assuming Houston joins the four-team American League West.”

      Like
      Reply
      • wickedkevin

        9 years ago

        Ahh…that was added after my original comment.  My question is answered nonetheless. 

        Like
        Reply
    • Shawn

      9 years ago

      There has been alot of talk about realignment lately. I wanted to post my plan for the change to baseball. I agree with moving one team from the Nl to the Al, doesn’t matter much to me which team moves. I would solve the DH issue by going with the home ballpark rule. If the Al team is at home there would be a dh and vice versa. Currently teams play their division opponents 18 or 19 times per season. Here’s my plan, I would expand the season by 2 games to 164 per season. I would reduce the games against division opponents to 16 games each, so with the divisions being even that would mean 16*4=64 divisional games per season. That would leave 100 games to be divided amongst the other 25 teams which would mean every team would be playing each other at least 4 times per season. I am an Orioles fan so I will use them as an example.
      In order to keep travel costs down I would have an O’s west coast road trip consist of 8 to 10 games. They would go to LA and play a 2 game series with the Dodgers and then 2 games with the Angels from there they would go the Bay area and play 2 against the Giants and A’s. This would work for an 8 games trip for a 10 or 12 game trip SD, Seattle or AZ could be added for a 2 game series. This would be the ideal and most fair way to change the game.
       
       
      It would only be 2 games taking a couple off days away or playing 2 double headers would take care of that. If it were kept at 162 then the 4 games each would not work. If the divisional games were moved back to 15 each and 4 games each were played against the other league that would break down as 15*4=60 and 4*15=60 that would be 120 games. That would leave 42 games to be divided among the other 10 teams in their league. This would allow for the elimination of 2 games to a 160 game season. The owners would never agree to the loss of revenue for 2 games though.

      Like
      Reply
  2. stl_cards16

    9 years ago

    I know Astros fans are going to hate this, but something had to be done.  It doesn’t appear expansion is really an option right now and it just doesn’t make sense to have unbalanced leagues.

    I feel bad for the fans, but I agree that this was the move that made the most sense.  Hopefully a good rivalry will develop between the Rangers and Astros that can help both teams in the future.

    Like
    Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      notice how no fans responded with “I hate this” lol

      Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        9 years ago

        Have you not read through some of the discussions on this topic before?  Astro fans hate this, and honestly, I don’t blame them.  I wouldn’t like it either.

        Like
        Reply
        • NYBravosFan10

          9 years ago

          I understand what you meant but my joke was that Astros fans aren’t common

          Like
          Reply
          • mikecav19

            9 years ago

            Neither were Braves fans in the late ’80s when they were losing.  At least the Astros can sell out a playoff game when they get there.

            Like
            Reply
      • mikecav19

        9 years ago

        I HATE this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Like
        Reply
      • sid

        9 years ago

        I hate this

        Like
        Reply
      • monty4aloha

        9 years ago

        I hate this…

        Like
        Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      notice how no fans responded with “I hate this” lol

      Like
      Reply
    • icedrake523

      9 years ago

      No, the move that made the most sense was moving the Brewers back into the AL Central since they were there for over 20 years. But why would Selig want to make things harder for his former team?

      Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        9 years ago

        Ok, so then what team are you going to move out of the AL Central to the AL West?  The goal here is making six 5 team divisions.  Not just throwing any team to the AL.

        Like
        Reply
        • Timothy Capella

          9 years ago

          The move that would make the most sense would be to move Arizona to the AL west and Houston to the NL West.

          Like
          Reply
          • Luke

            9 years ago

            Agreed on moving the D’Backs to the AL West and Astros to the NL West.  We in Houston have a much richer history in the National League than do the D’Backs.

            Like
            Reply
            • Crucisnh

              9 years ago

              I don’t give a rat’s behind about this supposed history in leagues.  It’s nothing but a worthless mirage.

              MLB should chuck out the current league alignment entirely, and go with a new alignment that’s 100% geographically based, with two leagues one composed of the teams east of the Mississippi River and the other the teams west of the mississippi river (and include the 2 chicago teams in the West).  2 divisions per league, also based on geography.  

              Lower travel costs and higher away game viewership since most away games would be no more than 1 time zone away for eastern league games, or 2 tz away for western league games.  And that would increase ad revenues because the viewership would be higher.

              Like
              Reply
              • Chris

                9 years ago

                Yes, because as we all know, history is trivial in the world of baseball.

                Like
                Reply
            • Andy Forrester

              9 years ago

              If any NL West team were to move, it should be Colorado.  They have no NL West rivalries and are pretty much the odd one out, plus they play more like an American League team and their ballpark would be well suited for an AL environment.

              Like
              Reply
        • icedrake523

          9 years ago

          Move the Brewers to the AL Central, the Royals to the AL West. The Royals were in the AL West back when there were 2 divisions and it’s not as if they have a close rival within the Central.

          Like
          Reply
        • Chris

          9 years ago

          Or you could just not have divisions, since they skew statistics and hinder real competition.

          But as a Tigers fan, I have no interest in Houston coming over. At all. Milwaukee come back home, we’ll send the Royals out west.

          Like
          Reply
          • John A

            9 years ago

            No…this is what you do:

            Move Milwaukee to AL Central, Move Minnesota to AL West.

            Astros stay in NL Central. All NL teams stay in NL, All AL teams (are back and) stay in AL

            and Im an Astros fan, and I hate this realignment bs.

            Like
            Reply
    • icedrake523

      9 years ago

      No, the move that made the most sense was moving the Brewers back into the AL Central since they were there for over 20 years. But why would Selig want to make things harder for his former team?

      Like
      Reply
    • essmeier

      9 years ago

      Yeah. Just like those hot intra-divisional rivalries between the Cardinals and the Royals and the Rays and the Marlins.

      Sure. 

      Like
      Reply
      • Crucisnh

        9 years ago

        Those are inTER-divisional rivalries.  “Infra” basically means inside, “inter” basically means outside.

        Like
        Reply
    • Ryan Knox

      9 years ago

      Why Houston, kick Arizona over into the West, Houston has been in the National League for 4 decades, Arizona less than half that.

      Like
      Reply
      • Crucisnh

        9 years ago

        Why ask why?  The answer is obvious.  The NLC has 6 teams and they wanted to drop that by 1.  The ALW has 4 teams and they wanted to increase that by one.  The easiest answer is to take a team from that NLC and move it to the ALW.  

        And furthermore, picking Houston means that the Rangers have an in-division team to play that doesn’t require flying all the way to the west coast.

        You guys are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too hung up on worthless league history.

        Like
        Reply
        • Ryan Knox

          9 years ago

          If you can move Houston to the American League West, you can just as easily move Arizona to the American League West, and move Houston the National league West.

          Like
          Reply
          • Crucisnh

            9 years ago

            Incorrect.  Moving Arizona to the AL requires two teams changing divisions, not just one.  Hence, it is NOT “just as easy”.

            Like
            Reply
        • John A

          9 years ago

          NO…

          Pirates and Phillies are both in the National League, and neither play in the same division. Why is this all of a sudden okay when it comes to Astros and Rangers???

          Heres why: its NOT.

          Milwaukee was an AL team first. you move them back and move Minnesota to the AL West. that makes the most sense.

          Like
          Reply
          • Crucisnh

            9 years ago

            No, it doesn’t make the most sense.

            Starting with the Phillies and the Pirates, they used to play in the same division. This changed when MLB went to the 3 div’s per league format because the owners wanted to have a more geographically friendly divisional model so that teams in divisions could play more away games within their own time zones. This has worked out fairly well, with the exception of the Rangers in the AL West. The Pirates could have stayed in the NL East at that time I suppose and made the NL East, rather than the NL Central, the 6 team division.

            Back to the question at hand, what makes the most sense is to do whatever preserves the integrity of the geographical divisional model desired by the owners when this current model was created. Flinging teams from various time zones all over the place is silly and only serves to hurt team revenues and away game viewership, which was why they produced the current model in the first place. The most sensible solution is to try to make the move which will have the least impact on this model. Which is why Houston was selected. Arguably, Flipping the D-backs to the AL West and Houston to the NL West could accomplish the same thing fairly well too, though it would move the Astros out of a time-zone friendly NL Central into a terribly time-zone unfriendly NL West, which would mean that all of their in-division away games would end up starting at about 9pm.

            Like
            Reply
    • Elan Tavor

      9 years ago

      They could’ve placed the Brewers back in the AL Central, moved the Royals to the AL West and called it a day.

      Seeing that we’re being forced to accept this in Houston, I’d like to see them get the “Colt .45s” name back and start anew in a new league. Yeah, the Colts were an NL expansion team, but they’ve been the Astros for 47 seasons and I just see the Astros as an NL team.

      Like
      Reply
      • Crucisnh

        9 years ago

        In a time when the old Washington Bullets changed their name to get away from a gun motif, do you really think that MLB would change a team’s name to return TO a gun motif?  Besides “Colt 45’s” is a really dumb name.

        Like
        Reply
        • platetectonics

          9 years ago

          idk. being named after a gun is kinda awesome imo.

          Like
          Reply
          • Crucisnh

            9 years ago

            I guess that it’s a matter of taste. I think that it sounds really silly.

            Like
            Reply
            • Elan Tavor

              9 years ago

              Fair point about the Bullets naming issue.  Then you made the “dumb” comment and really invalidated yourself.

              Regardless, call them the Colts, whatever, I just think the team needs a new identity in a new league.  The “Astros” brand with all it’s success and smashing failures is purely synonymous with the NL.  The team is far enough in the rebuilding phase, it would be like an expansion team in a new league with a new lineage with the perk of holding on to their heritage.

              Like
              Reply
              • Crucisnh

                9 years ago

                As for the “dumb” comment, it’s a matter of opinion. I think that it sounds “dumb”

                As for renaming, if it was going to happen, doing it as part of the move would make sense I suppose, though some might see it as rubbing salt in the wound.

                The Astros name doesn’t seem to have as much zing to it as it did when they played in the Astrodome, but maybe that’s just a skewed opinion of someone who’s looking at it from the outside. :)

                Like
                Reply
        • platetectonics

          9 years ago

          idk. being named after a gun is kinda awesome imo.

          Like
          Reply
      • Ryan Knox

        9 years ago

        Move the Royals to the National League, people forget they are even in the American League, They have no rivalry with any team, They are still hung up on 1985, convinced the Cardinals are their great rival so we play them twice a year in interleague play (Cardinal fans buy most of the tickets and make the 5 hour drive). If they are so interested in having us be their rival, switch them and Milwaukee, move Texas to the NL West (when I think of Texas I think of the West anyway). and move San Deigo, Colorado or Arizona to the American League West.

        Like
        Reply
    • monty4aloha

      9 years ago

      I hate this…

      Like
      Reply
    • Crucisnh

      9 years ago

      I don’t think that it had to be done.  I don’t think that it was a big deal having the two leagues of slightly different sizes.  I think that requiring constant interleague play is a far greater negative than any supposed benefit from having 2 equal sized leagues.

      Like
      Reply
    • The_BiRDS

      9 years ago

      They should have moved San Diego to the AL West and put Houston in the NL West. 

      Although DHs will be very attracted to that left field wall. 

      Like
      Reply
  3. Michael James Caggiano

    9 years ago

    I guess this means interleague play year round now…

    Like
    Reply
  4. Mike

    9 years ago

    Wouldnt there have to be a change in the scheduling? WIth 15 teams in each league, One team will be off every series right? So they’d have to do something where two teams are playing “interleague” each series right? Is that all part of the new CBA or something? With 15 teams in each league and the current scheduling, one team from each league will have a series off.

    Like
    Reply
    • stl_cards16

      9 years ago

      There will always be at least one interleague series going on. 

      Like
      Reply
      • Mike

        9 years ago

        That’s what I thought I read someplace. So would “interleague” be like teams in the NL Central playing every team in the AL east a series at home and one on the road? and each division having an opposite league division assignment each year>?  That’s what I read on a article online.

        Like
        Reply
        • stl_cards16

          9 years ago

          I’m not sure how it would work exactly.  Hopefully it is something like that so we can have a balanced schedule.

          Like
          Reply
  5. BeenThereDoneIt

    9 years ago

    Wow, Thats quite the discount.

    Like
    Reply
    • UncleCharles

      9 years ago

      I don’t think the NL should get rid of the DH I think the difference between the two leagues really creates a lot of interest. I don’t know about you but I like watching the odd NL game as it differs so much from the AL style.

      Like
      Reply
  6. Wilsonl

    9 years ago

    Yay!

    Like
    Reply
  7. algionfriddo

    9 years ago

    Hope they at least discuss killing the DH.

    Like
    Reply
    • wickedkevin

      9 years ago

      The union would never allow that.  It would most likely be NL adopting the dh. Which I also doubt will happen.

      Like
      Reply
      • Joseph Golden

        9 years ago

        But would the union allow it if rosters were increased to 26? My guess is yes.

        Like
        Reply
        • wickedkevin

          9 years ago

          Maybe in the next CBA agreement depending on how much the DHs get paid in the near future or what it appears that the new DH role is.  eg rotating more instead of single players.

          Like
          Reply
        • wickedkevin

          9 years ago

          Maybe in the next CBA agreement depending on how much the DHs get paid in the near future or what it appears that the new DH role is.  eg rotating more instead of single players.

          Like
          Reply
        • mmwatkin

          9 years ago

          My guess is “no”.

          So wait…you want to get rid of the DH AND add another player? The 26th guy would either be a 6th guy on the bench or the 8th guy in the bullpen. I highly doubt the need for that would convince pitchers and hitters to vote to abolish the DH. 

          Like
          Reply
      • Joseph Golden

        9 years ago

        But would the union allow it if rosters were increased to 26? My guess is yes.

        Like
        Reply
    • Matthew

      9 years ago

      Instead of killing the DH they ought to be discussing killing pitchers hitting.

      Like
      Reply
      • MaineSox

        9 years ago

        I don’t know why people are talking about killing anyone, seems like quite an overreaction.

        Like
        Reply
    • Matthew

      9 years ago

      Instead of killing the DH they ought to be discussing killing pitchers hitting.

      Like
      Reply
  8. SadStros fan

    9 years ago

    Still makes no sense why a newer team can’t be moved…

    Arizona, Colorado, Milwaukee…

    Any I those clubs would make more sense to flip to the AL than the Astros…except that they aren’t in a perfect strong arm position. This is a perfect use of leverage. It’s just the latest example of how Bud screws the Houston fan. Lets hope Crane is half the “savior” we’re all making him out to be.

    Damn, now I have to switch my keeper leagues to AL only…

    Like
    Reply
    • Guest

      9 years ago

      Part of me still doesn’t understand this. I have no real interest in the matter, but I always felt either the Rockies or D-Backs made the most sense to move to the AL. Both are the newest teams (in the west) and both have characteristics that suit the AL type of baseball, especially the Rockies imo. In turn, you move the Astros to the NL West (I mean the Rangers are the AL West) so I don’t see the difference in “west vs central” argument. Again, doesn’t bother me, but I’ve always felt the Astro’s made the least sense and I still don’t have a conclusive answer as to why they were chosen over the Rockies or D-Backs.

      Like
      Reply
      • 0bsessions

        9 years ago

        The big argument against the Rockies or Diamondbacks is that it requires moving two teams instead of just one. With the disparity being between the NL Central and the AL West, any move of a team not in the NL Central would have to be facilitated by moving a team out of the NL Central and into another division. The convenience of Houston’s current ownership status aside, the Astros are also the furthest West of the NL Central teams.

        Basically, moving the Astros was the easiest way to get it done. The MLB had the luxury of the Astros being in a position that it would be amenable to changing leagues. They may as well take that rather than having to convince a team that has no real reason to change leagues to do so and THEN convincing the Astros to change divisions.

        Path of least resistance.

        Like
        Reply
        • Guest

          9 years ago

          I’m guessing that’s correct and ultimately what it came down too. The Rockies were the best fit for the AL West imo. Plus it would have changed the dynamic for the AL providing a new state/park to play in several times a year. Texas is hot and so now the Yanks, Sox and everyone else have to suffer for an additional 12-16 games a year. I don’t know, but the more I sit here and think about it, this is the one and so far the ONLY move that I think Bud screwed up. I do understand your point however, that it would have been a logistical and somewhat political nightmare for the league. It likely would have taken years longer and it appears Bud was adamant about getting this done before he left.

          Like
          Reply
      • 0bsessions

        9 years ago

        The big argument against the Rockies or Diamondbacks is that it requires moving two teams instead of just one. With the disparity being between the NL Central and the AL West, any move of a team not in the NL Central would have to be facilitated by moving a team out of the NL Central and into another division. The convenience of Houston’s current ownership status aside, the Astros are also the furthest West of the NL Central teams.

        Basically, moving the Astros was the easiest way to get it done. The MLB had the luxury of the Astros being in a position that it would be amenable to changing leagues. They may as well take that rather than having to convince a team that has no real reason to change leagues to do so and THEN convincing the Astros to change divisions.

        Path of least resistance.

        Like
        Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      9 years ago

      The Astros aren’t exactly one of the old teams and their organization is only 7 years older than the Brewers.

      Also the Astros make more sense than most. They’re in the large division and can move to the smallest without changing a lot of travelling logistics. Add to that with the Rangers there’s a built in market to attempt to manufacture a rivalry.

      Like
      Reply
      • Madman2TX

        9 years ago

        The only rivalry was between Uncle Drayton and Hicks for dumbest ownership and the (yee haw) silver boot series. Everyone thinks there will be some brutal rivalry ala Steelers-Ravens if the Rangers and Astros are in the same division…don’t count on iy. Also, there goes any hope for a I-45 World Series.

        Like
        Reply
        • Joseph Golden

          9 years ago

          I’m not sure there was ever much hope for that anyway. I mean, this is the Astros we’re talking about.

          Like
          Reply
          • Kash

            9 years ago

            The same Astros that went to the playoffs in 6 of 9 years and got to the world series 5 years before the Rangers decided to actually play good baseball for once in the past decade plus?

            Like
            Reply
        • Joseph Golden

          9 years ago

          I’m not sure there was ever much hope for that anyway. I mean, this is the Astros we’re talking about.

          Like
          Reply
      • Madman2TX

        9 years ago

        The only rivalry was between Uncle Drayton and Hicks for dumbest ownership and the (yee haw) silver boot series. Everyone thinks there will be some brutal rivalry ala Steelers-Ravens if the Rangers and Astros are in the same division…don’t count on iy. Also, there goes any hope for a I-45 World Series.

        Like
        Reply
      • MilwaukeeBravesFan

        9 years ago

        The Astros are also changing ownership and completely rebuilding their roster, so it will cause comparably less disruption to the team…. As far as the fan base, I would be interested in hearing from fans in Houston (Lance Berkman doesn’t count) rather than sports writers.

        Like
        Reply
      • MilwaukeeBravesFan

        9 years ago

        The Astros are also changing ownership and completely rebuilding their roster, so it will cause comparably less disruption to the team…. As far as the fan base, I would be interested in hearing from fans in Houston (Lance Berkman doesn’t count) rather than sports writers.

        Like
        Reply
    • Josh Venner

      9 years ago

      It also doesn’t make sense that both Texas teams are now in the AL. It would have made more sense if Colorado would have gone to the AL West, and the Astros would’ve move to the NL West. 

      Like
      Reply
      • KyleB

        9 years ago

        I agree with you. I would have liked to see Colorado come play in the West. But then I would be forced to not like the Rockies.

        Like
        Reply
    • Josh Venner

      9 years ago

      It also doesn’t make sense that both Texas teams are now in the AL. It would have made more sense if Colorado would have gone to the AL West, and the Astros would’ve move to the NL West. 

      Like
      Reply
    • Luke

      9 years ago

      Does no one else view this as extortion?  Am I biased because I’m a Houston fan?

      Like
      Reply
      • Kash

        9 years ago

        This is straight up blackmail basically. “Move to the AL West or I wont approve your ownership…”

        Like
        Reply
  9. Wilsonl

    9 years ago

    (double post)

    Like
    Reply
  10. LUWahooNatFan

    9 years ago

    I like it

    Like
    Reply
  11. ReHabit

    9 years ago

    Wow, thanks for alienating your fanbase with your first move Jim Crane. It at least took Drayton McClain over 10years to accomplish that…

    Like
    Reply
    • Madman2TX

      9 years ago

      Yeah…and Uncle Drayton beat Dr McMullen’s record. Things happen quicker in the modern era.

      Like
      Reply
    • Madman2TX

      9 years ago

      Yeah…and Uncle Drayton beat Dr McMullen’s record. Things happen quicker in the modern era.

      Like
      Reply
  12. BK

    9 years ago

    As an Angels fan I’d like to be the first to welcome Ed Wade to our humble little division.  

    Like
    Reply
    • stl_cards16

      9 years ago

      Better get some trades in with him this year before he is in the same division and won’t trade.  Of course, he’ll probably be gone by the time they get to the AL West.

      Like
      Reply
    • Steve Smith

      9 years ago

      Appreciate the welcome. Hopefully, Wade can convince the Angels to take on Carlos Lee’s contract like they took on Vernon Wells. 

      Like
      Reply
    • Steve Smith

      9 years ago

      Appreciate the welcome. Hopefully, Wade can convince the Angels to take on Carlos Lee’s contract like they took on Vernon Wells. 

      Like
      Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      it’s about to get humbler

      Like
      Reply
  13. UncleCharles

    9 years ago

    I hate disqus

    Like
    Reply
    • mike292929

      9 years ago

      as much as vevo?

      Like
      Reply
  14. BK

    9 years ago

    Because the team sale was the only leverage MLB had to get a team to move from the  softer league to the AL.

    Like
    Reply
  15. UncleCharles

    9 years ago

    okay seriously disqus is messing with me right now.

    Like
    Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      it recently sent a comment of mine to a moderator when it didn’t contain any swear words or was in anyway threatening…i feel your pain

      Like
      Reply
      • IdontknowwhyIpostonforums

        9 years ago

        I think this is kind of like the random screenings at airports.

        Like
        Reply
  16. Matt Weaver

    9 years ago

    I really hope this doesn’t mean the DH will become universal. They should at least keep it interesting by leaving it in the AL only.

    Like
    Reply
    • Paul

      9 years ago

      I agree! However I liked what I heard someone say about during interleague play AL teams will use the pitcher while at home to hit and NL teams would use the DH when at home. This would give fans of each league the chance to see the other in their stadium

      Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        9 years ago

        I brought that up awhile back on here. Reactions were mixed.  It was actually TLR that was the first I heard suggest it and I thought it was a pretty good idea.

        Like
        Reply
      • KyleB

        9 years ago

        I disagree. It needs to be the same for each league.

        Like
        Reply
      • LuisSantoyo

        9 years ago

        What if we don’t want to see the ladies in the AL infect our stadium with their garbage rules?

        Like
        Reply
    • Paul

      9 years ago

      I agree! However I liked what I heard someone say about during interleague play AL teams will use the pitcher while at home to hit and NL teams would use the DH when at home. This would give fans of each league the chance to see the other in their stadium

      Like
      Reply
  17. Madman2TX

    9 years ago

    I love the integrity of MLB. A discount for moving leagues… Maybe the new owner of the Dodgers can use a 10% off coupon for his purchase.

    Like
    Reply
    • wickedkevin

      9 years ago

      Of what, Matt Kemp?

      Like
      Reply
    • wickedkevin

      9 years ago

      Of what, Matt Kemp?

      Like
      Reply
  18. Madman2TX

    9 years ago

    I love the integrity of MLB. A discount for moving leagues… Maybe the new owner of the Dodgers can use a 10% off coupon for his purchase.

    Like
    Reply
  19. JLaw

    9 years ago

    Really would have made a lot more sense to move the Diamondbacks (for example) to the AL West and shift the Astros to the NL West. That way you don’t have rivalry in such a confined area and it’d be more like the cities of Chicago or New York. Best of luck on scheduling. 

    Like
    Reply
    • 0bsessions

      9 years ago

      “That way you don’t have rivalry in such a confined area and it’d be more like the cities of Chicago or New York.”

      Houston to Arlington is a whopping 45 miles less of a distance than Boston to the Bronx. And LA to San Diego is less than half the distance of either.

      It’s not exactly a confined area.

      Like
      Reply
    • 0bsessions

      9 years ago

      “That way you don’t have rivalry in such a confined area and it’d be more like the cities of Chicago or New York.”

      Houston to Arlington is a whopping 45 miles less of a distance than Boston to the Bronx. And LA to San Diego is less than half the distance of either.

      It’s not exactly a confined area.

      Like
      Reply
  20. JLaw

    9 years ago

    Really would have made a lot more sense to move the Diamondbacks (for example) to the AL West and shift the Astros to the NL West. That way you don’t have rivalry in such a confined area and it’d be more like the cities of Chicago or New York. Best of luck on scheduling. 

    Like
    Reply
  21. rossington

    9 years ago

    So Would this mean the world series would be like the superbowl? or would it be 3-7-7-7
    in the playoffs

    Like
    Reply
  22. johnsilver

    9 years ago

    Houston should have had to PAY extra for the privilege of being able to beat up on Seattle/Oakland on a more often basis Not to mention having both in the same division as “competitors” using that term very lightly.

    Like
    Reply
    • raffish

      9 years ago

      Houston will get worked over in the AL West.  NL Central has been weak for decades, and currently boasts two terrible teams in Pittsburgh and Chicago, one mediocre team in Cincinnati, and Milwaukee, whom outside of two good seasons in the past four, is also a middling franchise.  Wait till you see what that double-A offense does against some good pitching.

      Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        9 years ago

        “weak for decades”

        Really?  Apparently you don’t remember the early 2000’s when the NL Central was no doubt one of the toughest divisions in baseball.

        It’s not like the AL West is all that impressive.  Outside of Texas, there probably isn’t a team in that division that would finish better than 3rd in the NL Central.

        Like
        Reply
        • raffish

          9 years ago

          The NL Central is ordinarily a picnic of a division.  Is it the worst every year?  No.  But it boasts lame franchises that repeatedly stink, and others that only step up once in a while.  St. Louis is great.  

          The AL West will get no easier for the Astros.  The pitching is much better.  The Oakland A’s would fare just fine in the NL, and the Seattle Mariners are on the way up.  The Astros suck and will continue to suck for some time, and now they don’t have the other suck squads to match up with.

          Like
          Reply
      • stl_cards16

        9 years ago

        “weak for decades”

        Really?  Apparently you don’t remember the early 2000’s when the NL Central was no doubt one of the toughest divisions in baseball.

        It’s not like the AL West is all that impressive.  Outside of Texas, there probably isn’t a team in that division that would finish better than 3rd in the NL Central.

        Like
        Reply
      • johnsilver

        9 years ago

        Think the combo of Seattle having a terrible time fielding a competitive team for years, Oakland and a lousy stadium situation, -0- offense and just lost pretty much the 2 best pieces they had on the field in Willingham and crisp will render them pretty ineffective for at least a couple of years.

        Pittsburgh showed some signs last year and watch out for the Cubs with Epstein in charge, that man is no Jim hendry and it won’t take him more than 2 years to turn that situation around more than likely.

        Texas will fall again..This is the 1st time they really have had a decent team in their 40 years..What are the odds it lasts? Would count on building a team against Anaheim and them only.

        Like
        Reply
        • not_brooks

          9 years ago

          The A’s won 81 games in 2010. That season, Coco Crisp put in just 328 plate appearances and Josh Willingham played for the Nationals.

          With full seasons from Crisp and Willingham in 2011, the A’s won 74 games.

          Sure A’s have a lot of problems, but do you seriously believe that losing those two will “render them pretty much ineffective for at least a couple of years”?

          Hyperbole, this is johnsilver. I don’t think you two have met.

          Like
          Reply
          • johnsilver

            9 years ago

            Say those 2 alone were responsible then.. tell me who else is going to replace the Athletics offense next year? All anyone has to do is look at the stats and see those 2 were the best they had by a mile.

            Like
            Reply
      • Ryno1984

        9 years ago

        LOL the three-division structure has only been around since 1994.

        Like
        Reply
        • raffish

          9 years ago

          close enough, dude.  three years off.  Hope you had a good LOL over that.

          Like
          Reply
      • IdontknowwhyIpostonforums

        9 years ago

        Hasn’t the Central been around since 1994? Not even 2 decades.

        Like
        Reply
      • timwmccann

        9 years ago

        Refresh my memory – Is the NL Central that division that sent two teams to the plaoyss this year….with one of them winning the world series? That “weak” division?

        Like
        Reply
    • raffish

      9 years ago

      Houston will get worked over in the AL West.  NL Central has been weak for decades, and currently boasts two terrible teams in Pittsburgh and Chicago, one mediocre team in Cincinnati, and Milwaukee, whom outside of two good seasons in the past four, is also a middling franchise.  Wait till you see what that double-A offense does against some good pitching.

      Like
      Reply
    • KyleB

      9 years ago

      But now they get to contend with the Rangers and Angels. Seattle and Oakland have great pitching as well, but not much firepower.

      Like
      Reply
  23. johnsilver

    9 years ago

    Houston should have had to PAY extra for the privilege of being able to beat up on Seattle/Oakland on a more often basis Not to mention having both in the same division as “competitors” using that term very lightly.

    Like
    Reply
  24. brandad29

    9 years ago

    Why not put them in the AL Central and move an AL Central team to the AL West?
    This seriously going to be a shock to our fans. 9:00 start times for away games.. OUCH!

    Like
    Reply
    • KyleB

      9 years ago

      Now you know how the Rangers feel. We always have to go play on the west coast…welcome to the party.

      Like
      Reply
      • not_brooks

        9 years ago

        That sounds horrible. I mean, especially after getting to watch your team win its division and make it to the World Series in each of the past two seasons. Really, I don’t know how you brave, brave Rangers fans do it.

        PS – I called the wambulance for you.

        Like
        Reply
        • KyleB

          9 years ago

          Thanks

          Like
          Reply
    • KyleB

      9 years ago

      Now you know how the Rangers feel. We always have to go play on the west coast…welcome to the party.

      Like
      Reply
    • IHateJoeBuck

      9 years ago

      What AL Central team would you move?  Geographically Houston is the Western-most city and would have the shortest travel to play the other AL West teams.

      Also, as stated by many others above, it’s easiest to just move one team.

      Like
      Reply
    • IHateJoeBuck

      9 years ago

      What AL Central team would you move?  Geographically Houston is the Western-most city and would have the shortest travel to play the other AL West teams.

      Also, as stated by many others above, it’s easiest to just move one team.

      Like
      Reply
  25. brandad29

    9 years ago

    Why not put them in the AL Central and move an AL Central team to the AL West?
    This seriously going to be a shock to our fans. 9:00 start times for away games.. OUCH!

    Like
    Reply
  26. sourbob

    9 years ago

    I wonder how it affects the whole “The AL is better than the NL” argument for the absolute worst NL team to leave and join the AL.

    Like
    Reply
    • Joseph Golden

      9 years ago

      This is a very good point.

      Like
      Reply
    • Joseph Golden

      9 years ago

      This is a very good point.

      Like
      Reply
  27. sourbob

    9 years ago

    I wonder how it affects the whole “The AL is better than the NL” argument for the absolute worst NL team to leave and join the AL.

    Like
    Reply
  28. wickedkevin

    9 years ago

    Berkman would be a good DH.

    Like
    Reply
  29. wickedkevin

    9 years ago

    Berkman would be a good DH.

    Like
    Reply
  30. Cole Payan

    9 years ago

    Not excited about consistent interleague games needing to be played now….. as long as the NL isn’t forced to use the DH rule then I guess I’m ok with it…

    Like
    Reply
    • Shu13

      9 years ago

      I would actually like to see the DH rule reversed so the NL fans can see a DH live and AL fans can see their pitchers hit live….not for ever but for a couple year….AND get rid of the ASG determining the WS HFA…..use the collective record of the teams advancing to the playoffs….(ex this year NL 382 AL 379….NL gets HFA)

      Like
      Reply
      • Dave Bara

        9 years ago

        ANY game between AL and NL teams, regardless of who’s ‘home’, in either the regular season or World Series, the DH should be used. The AL teams lose one of their best bats that they rely on to build their team and their pitchers have to hit. Puts AL teams at a disadvantage because the NL is still stuck in the 19th century.

        Like
        Reply
        • ad q

          9 years ago

          No the NL is still playing BASEBALL. The AL seems content to become the first professional softball league.

          Like
          Reply
  31. Cole Payan

    9 years ago

    Not excited about consistent interleague games needing to be played now….. as long as the NL isn’t forced to use the DH rule then I guess I’m ok with it…

    Like
    Reply
  32. Matt Porlier

    9 years ago

    Year round interleague play then? 

    Like
    Reply
  33. Matt Porlier

    9 years ago

    Year round interleague play then? 

    Like
    Reply
  34. Mariners4Ever

    9 years ago

    Damn u Selig. Nuff said.

    Like
    Reply
  35. Mariners4Ever

    9 years ago

    Damn u Selig. Nuff said.

    Like
    Reply
  36. DT Flush234

    9 years ago

    No Team to beat up in the NL Central Now.

    Like
    Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      Cubs?

      Like
      Reply
      • WrigleyTerror37

        9 years ago

        only for 2 years, if that….

        Like
        Reply
        • Kash

          9 years ago

           Cubs suck. have sucked. and will continue to suck.

          Like
          Reply
  37. DT Flush234

    9 years ago

    No Team to beat up in the NL Central Now.

    Like
    Reply
  38. swankwank

    9 years ago

    I’m sure someone has brought it up already, but wont this require year round inter league play?

    Like
    Reply
    • Shu13

      9 years ago

      Thats what they meant by “boost inter-legue play considerably”

      Like
      Reply
    • Shu13

      9 years ago

      Thats what they meant by “boost inter-legue play considerably”

      Like
      Reply
  39. not_brooks

    9 years ago

    Awesome.

    So, instead of contracting two teams from a watered down MLB and eliminating interleague play, we’re going to have year round interleague play until one more expansion team is added to each league.

    And more wildcards too. Hey, that sounds awesome! Especially since there’s no way the owners will allow the season to be shortened. So that first round of the playoffs can’t be anything longer than a three game set between the two wild card winners from each league. So when the Rays win 95 games and take the first wild card slot, it only makes sense the second place team in the AL Central or West deserves a shot at the playoffs after winning just 87 games.

    I can’t believe how awesome this is…

    New plan…

    Contraction!

    Yep, everyone hates contraction, but this is my plan, and you can take it or leave it. Stop reading here if you don’t like it.

    I’ll be accepting contraction suggestions from anyone, as well as arguments against contraction. Unfortunately for me, my two favorite teams, the Orioles and A’s, are probably at or near the top of the contraction list. Others on the bubble: Royals, Rays, Pirates, Astros, Nationals. Discuss…

    Next… Highlights of restructuring and such:

    – After contraction, each league will be made up of 14 teams and no divisions. The four best teams in each league make the playoffs.

    – We’ll keep the DH in the AL for now (we can’t change too much all at once, people!).

    – Get rid of the unbalanced schedule. Team A is the best team in baseball. Team B is the worst team in baseball. Team C is a mediocre team. Why should Team B have to play Team A 18 times while Team C only has to play Team A six times? Sorry, but that makes no sense. Someone who is much smarter than me should be able to figure out how to schedule the MLB season in a way that travel won’t be too crazy. Which leads us to the next point…

    – Cut the season back to 154 games. Which leads us to the next point…

    – Make each postseason series seven games.

    – Oh, and get rid of interleague play. It was a fun gimmick for while, but the fun has been done for a while.

    – And speaking of gimmicks, get rid of the “league that wins the All Star Game gets Home Field Advantage in the World Series” rule. That was never a good idea. A game that decides something that momentous should not be played as an exhibition. So let’s keep it an exhibition, but get rid of that horrific rule. Which leads us to the next point…

    – Home Field Advantage throughout the playoffs will be given to the team with the better record. You win more games in the regular season, you’re the better team. The better team gets HFA. It’s as simple as that.

    That’s all I’ve got for now.

    (Edit: Fixed a typo)

    Like
    Reply
    • mmwatkin

      9 years ago

      We were so close in 2001 with the Twins and Expos. Sigh…

      Like
      Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      9 years ago

      I more or less like it but no cutting of one of the first 16 teams. So Oakland and Baltimore are safe.

      Like
      Reply
      • not_brooks

        9 years ago

        I like the way you think.

        Like
        Reply
    • JacksTigers

      9 years ago

      The O’s, A’s, and Pirates have to rich of a fanbase to get rid or. The Royals have a good farm and a great future that could bring back a fanbase. The Nationals are in the same boat as the Royals but are willing to spend. I could see the Rays and Astros being contracted but they won’t because the Rays are winning and the Astros are getting a new owner. It’s an interesting idea but won’t happen.

      Like
      Reply
    • Dan

      9 years ago

      Contraction won’t be an option.  Nearly every team plays in a relatively new ballpark built with public funds that won’t be paid in full for many years.  What do you do with an empty, multi-million dollar liability?

      Like
      Reply
      • not_brooks

        9 years ago

        Kaufman Stadium opened in 1973. The Trop opened in 1990.

        I’m not saying that any of this will happen. There are a lot financial issues that would need to be worked around. And there are risks too. And the owners aren’t going to approve anything that could possibly cost them money.

        But this is my plan to make MLB better, with a more level playing field and more parity.

        Here’s another idea: Keep everything as it is now, keep the silly 15/15 plan for 2013, but move the Rays to the New Jersey Meadowlands to break up the New York market.Discuss…

        Like
        Reply
        • Ryan Knox

          9 years ago

          I’d more more inclined to move the Athletics back to Philadelphia.

          Like
          Reply
        • RedCaps

          9 years ago

          Kauffman Stadium just had a $250 million renovation not too long ago, so I doubt they’d be contracted. If two team were to be contracted, I would imagine it would be teams with bad stadium situations, so the A’s and the Rays.

          Like
          Reply
    • ACMilan

      9 years ago

      I agree with some but not all of your assertions.  I have long supported contraction as a means.  Tampa is the first to go, and the remaining cities can duke it out to stay.

      I disagree wholeheartedly on interleague play, but under a contracted format, it would need to be adapted.  I like the idea of having a home and home series each year and keeping it consistent.  The Subway Series, Freeway Series, Texas battles, Chicago matches, Phillies/Red Sox are some of the most entertaining matchups of the year.  Keeping those as consistent home and homes lets the fans get to experience the highs of interleague play and not have to deal with the crap of over rotation.

      Like
      Reply
  40. Edgar4evar

    9 years ago

    Overall I like it. As an M’s fan this means slightly less travel, hopefully, as both Texas teams can be played on the same road trip and there should be a couple fewer games against non-division teams which tend to be far away. Sucks that they have to beat 5 teams but one of them is the Astros so it’s a wash.

    The way I wish they’d done it, however, was to create one division aligned along the west coast, and another along the southern border to keep travel down some. This is ok, though.

    So if my math is correct there shouldn’t be a lot more interleague play. With one team in each league having to play an interleague game at all times, that means one of fifteen series for each team is interleague. Teams play about 54 series (162/3) each season. That makes for 3.6 interleague series (54/15), or about 11 interleague games, minimum. The M’s played 15 interleague games last year. So I don’t think the amount of games will change, they’ll just be sprinkled throughout the season.

    Like
    Reply
    • Edgar4evar

      9 years ago

      Of course, the M’s have to beat only four teams. Although the M’s are really good at beating the M’s, they don’t technically have to beat themselves to win the division.

      Like
      Reply
    • Edgar4evar

      9 years ago

      Of course, the M’s have to beat only four teams. Although the M’s are really good at beating the M’s, they don’t technically have to beat themselves to win the division.

      Like
      Reply
    • KyleB

      9 years ago

      All of you on the West coast are lucky. It’s the Rangers that have to travel the thousands of miles to go play the other 3 teams. Must be nice for y’all.

      Like
      Reply
      • Edgar4evar

        9 years ago

        The M’s travel the most miles in baseball. The Rangers come to Seattle a couple times a year, but trips to the AL Central and East are a lot shorter for them than they are for the Mariners.

        Like
        Reply
  41. NYBravosFan10

    9 years ago

    Well at least the divisions are equal now. It was ridiculous for the NL central teams to have 5 other teams to compete with and the AL west teams to only have 3 others

    Like
    Reply
  42. MoreMariners.com

    9 years ago

    Well, if the Ms can play that many games against Oakland and Houston, maybe we have a shot

    Like
    Reply
  43. MoreMariners.com

    9 years ago

    Well, if the Ms can play that many games against Oakland and Houston, maybe we have a shot

    Like
    Reply
  44. craig one

    9 years ago

    send the brewers back to where they came from!  mlb is messing up.

    Like
    Reply
    • lovebaseball74

      9 years ago

      and they should do this without even thinkin about…its simple they came from bring them back

      Like
      Reply
  45. coreif

    9 years ago

    What I don’t understand is, why the Astros & Rangers rivalry in the same league. All the other geographical rivalries (Yankees/Mets, Cardinals/Royals, Dodgers/Angels, Giants,A’s, Nats/O’s) would still be in separate leagues.

    Like
    Reply
  46. A911resqr

    9 years ago

    Inter league will have to expand dramatically. If both leagues have an odd number of teams, one team from each league will have to play each other every day. Inter league all year long.

    Like
    Reply
  47. MoreMariners.com

    9 years ago

    As a M’s fan, I was hoping it would be the DBacks. They made a lot of sense. But no NL team wants to go to the AL, and this is just the MLB having leverage in a situation. It makes the most sense.

    However, I’m glad there will be more to the season than just the As, Angels and Rangers…it got old being in this small of a division

    Like
    Reply
    • Matt

      9 years ago

      Why would you hope for the dbacks? They already have a great team and a top 5 to 7 farm system. They would slaughter the M’s for years to come. The Astros on the other hand will pad all of the AL’s win columns.

      Like
      Reply
      • MoreMariners.com

        9 years ago

        Oh, because I live in Arizona.

        Like
        Reply
  48. slider32

    9 years ago

    The only thing this will do is give two wild card teams from the West. The Astros would be a last place team in any division, when they trade all their good players to Philly.

    Like
    Reply
    • WrigleyTerror37

      9 years ago

      o yes because Bourn went to phillie….

      Like
      Reply
  49. Jeff

    9 years ago

    I’d kind of like to see them mix up the divisions, though the O’s chances aren’t much better in a division with PHI, WAS, ATL

    Like
    Reply
  50. LuisSantoyo

    9 years ago

    It would have made more sense for the Rockies to move to the AL West and become interleague rivals with the Diamondbacks (“Mountain v. Desert Series” or something), and for the Astros to move to the NL West, replacing the Rockies, and continuing as interleague rivals of the Rangers. They would be in the same geographical area, too, instead of one Texas team being in the “West” and another in the “Central.” Now if only they’d talk about doing away with the DH already. That experiment has gone for far too long. The era of the long ball is over. It’s time for aging, POS players past their prime to be weeded out, not moved to part-time roles.

    Like
    Reply
    • Dave Bara

      9 years ago

      Liked your post until you got to the DH. This game needs more offense, not less.

      Like
      Reply
  51. JacksTigers

    9 years ago

    There is no chance that they get rid of the DH. Too many teams would be screwed up because they are designed to have a DH and have given big contracts for those players. It’s easier to add a DH to the NL than it is to get rid of it in the AL. Not even worth arguing. There is a 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance that the DH is gone in the AL.

    Like
    Reply
    • Dave Bara

      9 years ago

      We gotta dump National League ball. Boring as Hell watching pitchers strike out. DH all the way!

      Like
      Reply
      • NYPOTENCE

        9 years ago

        It’s actually kind of fun watching them embarrass themselves on tv, not saying all pitchers can’t hit.

        Like
        Reply
      • WrigleyTerror37

        9 years ago

        o so seeing some big fat guy strike out is better? and then he walks to the bench and grabs a doughnut and watches the rest of his team actually play baseball? 

        Like
        Reply
        • KyleB

          9 years ago

          It’s chicken and beer, not doughnuts smart guy.

          Like
          Reply
      • jaryl612

        9 years ago

        Pitchers play baseball in the NL.  DHs only play (baseball x 0.5)

        Like
        Reply
      • Ryan Knox

        9 years ago

        speak for yourself, I like having a pitcher at the bottom of the lineup, and so do all the Pitchers in the National League. Once we start doing things like that because its considered boring by some, then we’ll start implementing High School or Olympic Rules, like all extra innings start with runners on 1st and 2nd base. Or you can have a courtesy runner for any 1 position player that can’t run but reaches base.

        Like
        Reply
  52. MoreMariners.com

    9 years ago

    As for yearlong interleague play, I don’t think you guys understand what it will mean.
    Let’s take 28 teams — 14 from each league — and place them against eachother.

    A typical day could look like:

    AL:
    BOS vs NYY
    OAK vs TEX
    SEA vs LAA
    DET vs MIN
    TBR vs TOR
    BAL vs CLE
    CWS vs KCR

    That leaves the Astros.

    Okay, now lets look at the NL:
    ARI vs SFG
    LAD vs SDP
    COL vs CHC
    CIN vs PIT
    STL vs MIL
    PHI vs ATL
    WAS vs FLA

    That leaves the Mets.

    So, the Mets and Astros play for a series while the other guys play those series. Then the Astros will have another interleague game after all other teams each play in one. To me, that sounds better than having it all lumped together…

    Like
    Reply
  53. NYBravosFan10

    9 years ago

    Does anyone else find it funny that they are moving from a central division to a west division but staying in the same city? Like how the Dallas Cowboys are in the NFC East and not in the south or the west? Must be a Texas thing.

    Like
    Reply
  54. Dave Bara

    9 years ago

    Stoopid move. The M’s have to travel about 20,000 miles more per season than any other team in baseball. Adding another team EVEN FURTHER EAST to the AL West only worsens that problem.

    A better solution? Move Arizona and Colorado to the AL West and Texas to the NL West. But then, that would make geographic sense. Wouldn’t mind adding a team in Vancouver BC either.

    Like
    Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      9 years ago

      Well that’s because of the genius who put the Mariners way up in the corner of the country where the closest AL team is in Minnesota or Los Angeles

      Like
      Reply
      • Dave Bara

        9 years ago

        The closest AL team is in Oakland. But thanks for playing. Do we have some nice parting gifts for the dumb Braves fan, Johnnie?

        Like
        Reply
        • NYBravosFan10

          9 years ago

          shut up, the point was that the Mariners are isolated

          Like
          Reply
  55. $17857693

    9 years ago

    I disagree with this, i am not a fan of interleague play because it decreases the significance of the world series in my opinion, i suggest adding 2 more teams to the AL, make 4 divisions, none or very few interleague games. the only problem is how do you get those 2 teams the players? i would like to see a complete turnover, redraft the entire league, teams would draft players and their contracts, meaning if you were to draft A-rod you get his mammoth of a contract as well, it can’t be renegotiated, and you can draft free agents, but you have to negotiate contracts, and if you can’t agree on one they hit a period of free agency and go to any team they wish…this would make the league much more competitve, it would give the world series more meaning, and the leagues would be even team wise.

    Like
    Reply
    • financialuproar

      9 years ago

      This is the most ridiculous comment in the history of the internet. 

      Like
      Reply
  56. A_Berg_Thing

    9 years ago

    As a Pirates fan living in Houston, I am not a fan of this move, I’ll lose my yearly opportunities to see the Bucs play live. MLB should have never moved Milwaukee from the AL in the first place or tried to get Arizona to move.

    Like
    Reply
  57. IdontknowwhyIpostonforums

    9 years ago

    Dodgers and Angels is not as big of a rivalry as Dodgers/Giants.  In fact almost all real rivalries are in the same league.  Yankees/Red Sox, Cubs/Cardinals, Phillies/Braves/Mets.  The geographical locations don’t necessarily mean a rivalry. Yeah, there is competition for fans, but a rivalry is more about consistently playing the other team with something on the line beyond the win/loss.  

    Cardinals/Royals?  Not exactly something to get fired up about.  Cub/Cardinals = Fired up fan bases.

    Edit: Meant as a reply to coreif.

    Like
    Reply
    • coreif

      9 years ago

      That is true. As I Yankee fan, I get more hyped for Yankees/Red Sox (hell, even Yankees/Rays these past few years) than Yankees/Mets, but the people talking about this realignment are making all the points about the geographical rivalries.

      Like
      Reply
  58. longtimepadrefan

    9 years ago

    The best solution is to add 2 more teams to make it even at 32 teams. Add another NY team and 1 other team in another area. Then you have each league with 4 divisions of 4 teams each. The trick is finding 2 areas that can support 2 teams.

    Like
    Reply
    • BrickTops

      9 years ago

      Houston Can support 2 teams.  Not sure they would want to. But they absolutely have the financial stability.  

      Like
      Reply
  59. Cody

    9 years ago

    It would make more sense to move the Pirates to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, and the AL West in one shot.

    Here’s why:
    1) Having both TX teams in the same division is inconsistent with current geographically similar teams. Florida has two teams – on NL and one AL. Texas currently has one of each. The Bay Area has two teams, one NL and one AL. Then NY, Chicago, and LA, all have one of each league. It’s the same everywhere except…

    2) Pennsylvania has the Phillies and Pirates, both in the NL, and in two different divisions! They don’t even directly compete in the same division, and thus haven’t created the type of Interleague or cross-town rivalry that sells tickets. I think that has hurt the Pirates because polarization of a market actually creates ticket sales and team support because you get to have that discussion of “who is better” with family and co-workers (See LA, NY, Chi for how that works).

    3) Pittsburgh has been unable to make money in their current market to field a team worth rooting for.

    4) Possibly Las Vegas, and more likely Salt Lake City, are ready to support an MLB franchise. One team could even serve both markets if marketed well. Plus, both cities would be considered “West”.

    Ideally, Pittsburgh should have been moved to the AL East during the last
    restructuring, with Toronto moving to the AL Central, and KC sliding
    West to capitalize on NFL rivalries. But since that didn’t happen, the Las Vegas Pirates (see, you could keep the team name!) makes more sense to me.

    Like
    Reply
  60. Luke

    9 years ago

    I vote Carlos Lee for DH.  Also, the Rangers and Astros don’t need to be in the same division to have a rivalry.  Ala Mets & Yankees. 

    Like
    Reply
    • WrigleyTerror37

      9 years ago

      Carlos lee will be gone by 2013

      Like
      Reply
  61. Ryan Knox

    9 years ago

    Crazy Idea but makes senese

    American League East = Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays
    American League Central = White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Brewers, Twins
    American League West = Diamondbacks, Angels, Athletics, Mariners, Rangers

    National League East = Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Nationals
    National League Central = Cubs, Reds, Royals, Pirates, Cardinals
    National League West = Rockies, Astros, Dodgers, Padres, Giants

    Or put the Pirates in the National League East, and the Braves in the National League Central. Severing the ties between the Diamondbacks and the National League isn’t going to bring tears to anybody’s eyes, Houston has been in the National League more than twice as long anyway. The Brewers and Twins seem to be natural geographic rivals, while the Royals would finally have a divisional rival in the Cardinals.

    Like
    Reply
    • Matt

      9 years ago

      I want the dbacks to stay in the NL thank you very much.

      Like
      Reply
      • Ryan Knox

        9 years ago

        Well, being that they are the Youngest team in the National League, they should be the first ones to move, Houston has 4 decades in the National League, other teams have been there for over a hundred years, I’d rather move Houston before I moved a Pittsburgh for example, the Pirates have been in the National League for more than 120 years. But its not like the Diamondbacks have this long historic tradition of National League baseball.

        Like
        Reply
        • Kash

          9 years ago

           exactly

          Like
          Reply
    • Matt

      9 years ago

      I want the dbacks to stay in the NL thank you very much.

      Like
      Reply
  62. mikecav19

    9 years ago

    There were polls conducted here in Houston that showed over 75% hated the idea.

    Like
    Reply
    • Ryan Knox

      9 years ago

      I seem to remember that the Diamondbacks were suppose to be an American League team anyway. Switch the Brewers and Royals, then put Arizona over in the AL West, Houston is a National League city, the National League wouldn’t be the same without them.

      Like
      Reply
  63. mikecav19

    9 years ago

    The NLC has boasted the NL pennant champ in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2011.  That is half of the last 8 years.

    Like
    Reply
  64. Robert

    9 years ago

    I always thought it would be beneficial to the league with travel if they restructured the whole league, but I know that would never happen. I think it would be fun to see the divisions like this, even though it doesn’t make much sense.

    AL                                                                     NL

    D1                                                                     D1
    BOS                                                                   CHC
    DET                                                                   CHW
    NYY                                                                   KC
    NYM                                                                   MIN
    TOR                                                                   STL

    D2                                                                     D2
    CIN                                                                    ARI
    CLE                                                                    COL
    MIL                                                                    HOU
    PHI                                                                    SEA
    PIT                                                                    TEX

    D3                                                                     D3
    ATL                                                                    LAA
    BAL                                                                    LAD
    FLO                                                                    OAK
    TB                                                                      SD
    WAS                                                                   SF

    I think that would make for some interesting divisions. But to the move on Houston going to the AL, it makes sense to me since it would make it the easiest move to make since you don’t have to move one or more teams to different divisions. But I don’t think that its the best move.

    Like
    Reply
    • JacksTigers

      9 years ago

      Way to complicated. Just move the Astros to the AL. That is all you have to do.

      Like
      Reply
      • _sturt_

        9 years ago

        It’s all you have to do, but simplicity does not mean it’s the right thing to do.

        The *right* thing to do, rather, would have been to ship the franchise that initiated this, Selig’s own Brewers, back to the AL Central where they actually have more roots than they do with the NL even including the Braves time there…

        Then, to have moved the Royals to the AL West, where, again, they actually have some roots, and are significantly closer to the far Northwest team than Houston.

        Like
        Reply
    • KyleB

      9 years ago

      If the point of this would be to keep competition within the division fairly close (geographically) you would have to move Seattle out of the West.

      Like
      Reply
      • Robert

        9 years ago

        If you were to move Seattle out of the west, who would you put in there place? Also where would they go?

        Like
        Reply
    • Ryan Knox

      9 years ago

      I like the idea of trying to create division rivalries based on geography, but I do like the tradition of some of the teams in the leagues they are in, Some of the teams in the National League have been their for over 100 years, they should stay there. I seem to think that Minnesota and Milwaukee in the AL Central would create a great rivalry, and neither of those 2 teams have a rivalry with another team like the Cardinals and Cubs, or the Giants and Dodgers do. I’d also advocate moving the Royals into the National League Central thus finally giving them a division rival, nobody really gets excited to play the Royals, nor does Kansas City ever get really excited about playing anybody else, except for their cross state rivals, the Cardinals. But on the same hand, cities with 2 teams need one in each league, (Chicago, Oakland/San Francisco, New York, Baltimore/Washington). I think keeping teams in the same state in different leagues is better as well with the only exception being Missouri, and although that exist in Pennsylvania right now, I think the Phillies and Pirates have both been in the National League to long to be moved. The Original members of the leagues shouldn’t change, but the expansion teams based on time in the league could be moved much easier.

      Like
      Reply
  65. mgsports

    9 years ago

    Geographical with a Midwest,Southeast,California,Altantic,Northeast,West and Central Divisions

    Like
    Reply
  66. coldgoldenfalstaff

    9 years ago

    Still waiting for Bud to explain this to Astros fans.

    But I guess one team’s fanbase counts less than the other 29 teams’

    The only way this could even remotely be acceptable is if the Astros got assurance that they’d be back in the NL after the next expansion.

    Like
    Reply
    • _sturt_

      9 years ago

      It’s Bud, but it’s also Crane.

      The people who keep feeling sorry for Crane are failing to understand that Bud had legitimate concerns about Crane’s character, and that once that was satisfied, Bud had every reason (about 680 million of them) to move to accept Crane regardless of whether he would permit the franchise to be shifted.

      If that doesn’t make sense, try this… they also have some difficulty, if Selig’s the puppetmaster and Crane the puppet, in explaining how Crane is able to get Selig and his minions to pay him $80, let alone $80 million… why do that?

      It’s not acceptable, and many of us will be finding new National League teams, not to mention, we’ll be watching to see what businesses partner with Crane to ensure that we do not patronize those.

      What makes me most angry at this minute, though, is how everyone in national media is ignoring our plight as-if it’s all okay for the Milwaukee Brewers-owner-turned-commissioner to have made this move… how is it ethical that he moves his franchise to the NL, and some years later, forces the move of another franchise to the AL?

      Glad, though, to see some of you here are empathizing. It’s not ethical. It’s not right.

      Like
      Reply
      • coldgoldenfalstaff

        9 years ago

        Hit the nail on the head.

        This is a shady backroom deal by Crane to sweep many issues he’d have with getting approval by the other owners in exchange for selling us down the river for $80M.

        BTW – do you really think that $80M will be used on improving the team and system? I sure don’t.

        Crane may be the stoolie, but Bud is the primary villain here, forcing a stipulation to the sale that was not agreed upon initially, and considering his conflict of interest with the Brewers, not something he should be involved in.

        Like
        Reply
        • _sturt_

          9 years ago

          Yes, but I have to disagree in two important ways.

          1) Selig playing the part of devil is to be expected.

          Crane, a Houston resident, agreeing to a deal with the devil is egregious.

          2) Again, if the exchange is “I’ll approve you IF you change leagues,” it makes no sense then for Crane to, IN ADDITION TO THAT, also be able to successfully acquire $80 mil in concessions.

          No, Crane IS COMPLICIT WITH Selig in this. And because he has the final word and lives here, he’s MORE GUILTY than Selig.

          Like
          Reply
  67. coreif

    9 years ago

    How about just do East & West league-DH for every team:
    Northeast:
    Yankees
    Mets
    Phillies
    Red Sox
    Blue Jays

    Southeast:
    Orioles
    Nationals
    Braves
    Marlins
    Rays

    North:
    Pirates
    Indians
    Reds
    Tigers
    Brewers

    Central:
    Royals
    Cardinals
    Twins
    White Sox
    Cubs

    West:
    Mariners
    Diamondbacks
    Rockies
    Astros
    Rangers

    California:
    Giants
    A’s
    Dodgers
    Angels
    Padres

    Like
    Reply
    • Ryan Knox

      9 years ago

      The Leagues, the history and the history of particular teams in particular leagues is to important to get rid of.

      Like
      Reply
  68. Ryan Knox

    9 years ago

    Move the Athletics back to Philadelphia while we are at it,

    Like
    Reply
  69. Andy Forrester

    9 years ago

    No, it will be 1-5-7-7

    Like
    Reply
  70. Andy Forrester

    9 years ago

    MLB asked Arizona to move, and we declined.

    Like
    Reply
  71. Andy Forrester

    9 years ago

    You lost me at “Move the Pirates to Las Vegas”

    Like
    Reply
  72. Andy Forrester

    9 years ago

    Arizona has a World Series title, something that Houston and Colorado do not :)

    Like
    Reply
  73. Andy Forrester

    9 years ago

    Selig actually had a similar plan when he took over.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    Quick Hits: Pujols, Blue Jays, Kennedy, Santana

    Royals, Hunter Dozier In “Serious” Extension Negotiations

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/27/21

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Astros Claim Robel Garcia

    Red Sox Acquire Zach Bryant From Cubs

    Quick Hits: Yankees, Cardinals, Diamondbacks

    MLBTR Poll: Forecasting The Yankees Rotation

    COVID Notes: Carlos Carrasco, Kevin Plawecki

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version