The commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB), Rob Manfredhe said during the transmission of Little League Classic in ESPN that the League could live historical changes in the coming years. The leader mentioned the possibility of Expand the MLB to 32 teams and, with it, implement a geographical realignment that reduces trips and optimize the playoff format.
“I think that expansion and realignment are related. If we expand, we could reorganize the teams geographically, which would save wear to the players and make the most attractive postseason format for chains like ESPN,” said Manfred.
MLB does not expand since 1998
The last time the MLB added franchises was in 1998, with the arrival of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays, raising the number of equipment to 30. Manfred has repeatedly recognized that there is demand for baseball in new cities, which opens the door to an expansion project similar to that of the NFL and the NHL, leagues that already have 32 franchises.
Situation of the A’s and Rays clears the way
One of the reasons for the caution of the commissioner in recent years was the uncertainty with respect to the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays. However, in 2025 both cases seem aimed:
The A’s began the construction of their new stadium in Las Vegas in June.
The Rays will be sold in September to a new owner group that seeks to keep the club in Tampa Bay/ST. Petersburg.
CBA and possible economic changes
The current Collective Agreement (CBA) expires at the end of season 2026. Negotiations are expected to be tense, with the possibility that the owners propose the introduction of a salary stop.
Manfred and the era of changes in MLB
Since his arrival as commissioner, Rob Manfred has promoted numerous reforms: expanded playoffs, pitching clock, defensive shift restrictions, video review and the ghost corridor in extra innings. In addition, the MLB is close to implementing the ABS system (ball and strike challenge) in the coming years.
With the expansion to 32 teams on the table, the league could enter one of its deepest transformations since the late twentieth century.
