The other day, word got out that Major League Baseball was discussing a variety of realignment plans to balance the 16-team National League and the 14-team American League. Balancing the leagues would require one team to switch, and according to Bob Nightengale, two candidates stand head and shoulders above the rest:
MLB Realignment: Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks Possibilities To Change Leagues
"We would do whatever's best for baseball," said Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, whose team would move to the American League West from the National League West under one of the plans being discussed by MLB and the players' association. "Most would say us or the Astros would be best candidates (to shift leagues)."
The Diamondbacks and the Astros are the best bets to shift from the NL to the AL - either joining the AL West, or joining a version of the AL that has had the divisions completely eliminated. There are a lot of options being discussed.
Obviously, nothing is imminent here. The most likely big change to MLB’s structure is the addition of another two playoff teams. But realignment is a certain possibility in one form or another, and honestly, it’s about time for the leagues to be balanced. Having to deal with interleague play every day is a hell of a lot better than one division having 50% more teams than another.
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