MLB Expansion

[n64ra]

We are all very excited about college baseball and MLB spring training. I was thinking what it would be like if MLB added 2 AL teams for a total of 32 MLB teams. What cities would you place those two teams in? I'm not looking for 'we don't need more teams' responses.

 

[Titan]

Contraction and realignment would be a better option than expanding. I have no idea how to reasonably do this, but it would be cool to see the following:

1) Move the Pirates to the NL East
2) Relocate the Rays to Vegas and make them part of the AL West
3) Move the Nationals to the AL East

Now you have 6 divisions with 5 teams each, and the only geographical disparity remaining is the Rangers in the AL West.

*Edit: just saw that you don't care for the "MLB doesn't need more teams" type of responses. Fire away.

 

[Huckleberry]

Titan -

An odd number of teams in each league won't work for baseball. There would need to be an interleague series going on every day of the season.

 

[Titan]

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[HornOnTheBayou]

Huckleberry is saying you would have 15 teams in each league under your plan. The odd teams out in each league would have to play each other.

 

[Beau Vine]

I'd put another team in the New York City area, and a team in the Riverside/San Bernadino area. There are so many people in those markets that it doesn't make sense to me to take the risk of expanding to a new place like Las Vegas, Portland or Charlotte.

 

[Huckleberry]

Explained above.

Although there is another possible solution instead of playing an interleague series every day of the year.

But that solution is much worse; one team in each league would have 3 days off instead of a series.

And I agree with Beau Vine - the number of people in the NYC metro area is seriously underrepresented in the current setup. Riverside needs one, too. Huge metro area that is commonly considered part of the Greater LA area, I guess, but it's a huge number of people without a team. Metro area estimate of over 4 million in 2006. The Bay Area has 6 million if you combine the San Francisco-Oakland metro area with the San Jose metro area and they have two teams. Not to mention Milwaukee's 1.5 million with a team.

 

[HookemHrns03]

You may not be looking for any 'we don't need more teams' responses, but you're going to get one from me. There should be no expansion as long as the Marlins and Devil Rays both continue to draw less than 10,000 fans (not tickets sold, actual fans in the stands) per game.

 

[Saint Austin]

I sure as hell wish the Rangers could get out of the west coast division, then again we seem to have trouble beating out just three teams for a division title the way it is now.

 

[90 Grad]

1 - Portland
2 - Nashville

 

[wherzwaldo]

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[4th]

What? No homers?

Austin is the 16th largest city in the Nation and the largest without a major pro sports team. Also surprised nobody has mention San Antonio with the recent marlins saga (though I don't think a team would do as well with attendance there).

 

[wherzwaldo]

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[Ramathorn]

While I wish it would happen, not sure Austin has the demographics either.

I don't think any sports franchise in Florida gets above average support, maybe Tampa bay bucs? Very apathetic state that has lots to do.

 

[HookemHrns03]

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[The Bull]

Rangers need to move to the NL Central and I'm an Astros fan.

The rivalry would be unbelievable.

 

[DBuff]

i've been thinking. (Not good.) But Austin/San Antonio would be a GREAT place to expand. A GREAT PLACE! Baseball is HUGE in your part of the country.

 

[Eating Club]

Carolinas

 

[wherzwaldo]

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[n64ra]

I am well aware that MLB should deal with the Florida teams before it expands. That’s why I gave my disclaimer. I just wanted this to be a fun thread.

I expected people to say Las Vegas – it’s my number one. Nashville / Memphis and San Antonio I thought would be mentioned. Can’t believe only one person said the Carolinas since it’s my number two spot. I hadn’t thought of NYC team number 3. Maybe give them a borough name? Riverside would be interesting too.

What do ya’ll think about Indianapolis? It supports NFL and NBA teams...

 

[goat]

Um....Isnt El Paso the largest city in the country without a professional sports team?

 

[texashorne]

Mexico City

 

[wherzwaldo]

Depends on what you consider "professional". It was mentioned earlier in this thread that Austin is the largest city without a pro team. The Ice Bats and Wranglers are technically professional teams, but I don't consider them such. And the Express are certainly a pro team, but they are a minor league team.