MLB Expansion Should Move Kansas City Royals to Entirely New Division

It seems MLB expansion to 32 teams is inevitable. The decision would lead to significant realignment. If it occurs, here’s what one writer thinks should happen to the Kansas City Royals.

As Kansas City Royals fans are probably aware, there’s been speculation about impending MLB expansion for a while. It ramped up again this week when Baseball America released an article by Tracy Ringolsby discussing expansion, realignment and changes to the postseason.

The article discusses the possibility of adding two teams—one each in Montreal and Portland, Oregon—to push the number of MLB franchises to 32. It fails to mention stadium issues in Tampa Bay and Oakland, which could ultimately lead to those franchises looking to relocate. If that happens, expansion could be postponed. But the move to 32 teams seems inevitable.

As far as realignment, the article looks at the possibility of a drastic change. It explores the option of ditching the American League and National League, along with their three divisions apiece, in favor of four overall divisions of eight teams. This would lead to several worthwhile changes, including a reduction to a 156-game schedule, more off days and more regional rivalries. However, the move would undoubtedly face severe pushback from a change-averse community.

According to the article, the changes could then lead to a 12-team postseason. Four of the teams would be the division winners, while the other eight would be the remaining teams with the best records, regardless of division. The eight wild card teams would face each other with the winners advancing to face the four division winners. From that point forward, the postseason would resemble a standard one—Division Series, League Championship Series (although this would need a new name) and World Series.

Let’s take a look at how these changes would affect the Kansas City Royals and the rest of the MLB, while also posing our own alternative.