Rob Manfred’s New MLB Realignment Idea Doesn’t Sit Well with Fans: “Trying to Kill the Game”

The Major League Baseball (MLB) could undergo a massive change in the future. Recently, Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke on the potential expansion of the league and hinted at realignment of the teams in the future.

This past Sunday, the MLB hosted the Little League Classic between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets. Manfred, the top boss of the league, would join the ESPN broadcast of this game. During this, he openly discussed the idea of realignment of the divisions.

I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign. I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel.

Rob Manfred said on ESPN broadcast

Could the AL and NL go extinct soon? Rob Manfred said that MLB could realign divisions based on geography if expansion takes place.

Read more here ⬇️https://t.co/BUwz4C08Lk

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 18, 2025

At the moment, the MLB features two leagues – the American League and the National League. Each league has 3 divisions – the East, Central, and West, which feature 5 teams each. The new realignment idea could bring an end to the long-running American and National Leagues.

Another topic that was discussed was the expansion of the league. The MLB last expanded in 1998 when the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays joined the league.

There have been talks about expanding, though. As per reports, the league is eying expansion once the Athletics and the Rays solve their stadium issues.

Manfred previously expressed his desire to add 2 more teams to the league before 2029, the year he steps down as the commissioner of MLB. The addition of 2 new teams will take the total to 32 teams in the MLB, which could force the league to reshape itself.

Social media reacts to Rob Manfred’s idea of realignment

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred‘s idea of realignment of the league has caused a huge stir across social media. Ever since his comments went viral, a majority of the fans have stood up against the idea.

While some users on X did support the idea of realigning the divisions, many were not pleased with it. One user wrote, “trying to kill the game” while taking a swipe at Manfred and the other leaders involved in the MLB.

Check out some of the fan reaction regarding this new realignment idea of Manfred from X below:

Kudos to the game of baseball for surviving the last 30 years or so while be run by people who are trying to kill the game.

— Michael norris (@norrismike1) August 18, 2025

Who asked for this? No one asked for this.

— charmane harbert ✝️ 🇺🇸 (@callme_Chari) August 18, 2025

THE WHOLE POINT OF THE NEW INTERLEAGUE PLAY SCHEDULES WAS SO TEAMS COULD travel way more and play teams they normally don’t play. WHY CHANGE NOW?

— John_Nouzen_TKP ✨⚔️ (@Three_Kings_Pro) August 18, 2025

forever trying to ruin the game we love pic.twitter.com/5U3zBVxmC2

— ☘️𝕊𝕥𝕣𝟠 ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕙☘️ (@STR8Homah) August 18, 2025

If it’s Manfred’a behind an idea or strategy, it’s safe to say it will turn out to be a dumpster fire. Worst commissioner/leader in all of professional and collegiate sports.

— JC (@87jnehc) August 18, 2025

No one wants this

— Degenerate Brewers Fan (@Matthew_MKE) August 18, 2025

Nobody hates the game of baseball or misunderstands it more than Rob Manfred.

— The Orchard Keeper (@keeper_orchard) August 18, 2025

Expansion yes. Realignment of divisions yes. HOWEVER, keep the leagues!!!

— John Lewis (@jrl_texas) August 18, 2025

Rob Manfred also has teams playing in minor league stadiums and the ability to implement the automated strike zone to get calls right on a per pitch basis. Let's work on these things first.

— The Online Card and Coin Shop (@CardandCoinShop) August 18, 2025

Just what baseball needs more of Rob Manfred's brilliant ideas to improve the game. Expansion and realignment?

— Bad Sarcasm (@Badsarcas) August 18, 2025

MLB used the geographical realignment idea in 2020. During the COVID-19 shortened 60-game season, the league would realign the schedule based on geography. While the two leagues remained intact, teams only faced division rivals and played interleague games against teams from the corresponding division.

Manfred and the league could use this as a guide for their idea. This realignment could also see MLB join the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL), which have divided their leagues into two conferences.

Yankees announcer Michael Kay open to trying Rob Manfred’s idea of realignment

The idea of realignment in the MLB became a hot topic this week following the comments of commissioner Rob Manfred. While the discussions regarding this keep going, New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay is open to trying this out.

On his ESPN radio show on Monday, Kay expressed that this move could work if the league removes the interleague games.

This would be the biggest thing that Rob Manfred does other than if he can get a salary cap at the next collective bargaining agreement…Is it for the better? I think it could be for the better if they knock off interleague play because all of those rivalries that you dream about they are in the same division now.

Michael Kay said

ICYMI on The Michael Kay Show on @880ESPNNewYork:@RealMichaelKay gives his thoughts on possible MLB realignment, after Rob Manfred’s comments yesterday. pic.twitter.com/69AR66FTgD

— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) August 18, 2025

The new realignment could see the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels play in the same division. Only time will tell what Manfred and the others have in store for MLB in the future.

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