Thoughts on MLB expansion...

madcowsmind · 04-20-2025, 10:10 PM

I was hoping to get ideas from the community on future MLB expansion. I'm sure that this has been discussed but I don't usually do real world saves. After some research with articles and even AI, It seems 8... 4 team divisions could be a great idea. New orleans, Austin, Nashville, Montreal are on my list of sites. One scenario had the AI taking the Cardinals (to the south division) away from the Cubs which is one of the best rivalries in baseball.

I am heavy on the New Orleans idea because I want them to be the New Orleans Voodoo and I will take over as GM.

Just interested on thoughts of what you guys would do. Thanks for any ideas!

venflaalachi · 04-20-2025, 10:20 PM

I don't like 4 team divisions since it can lead to some bad teams making the playoffs. I'd rather have 2 divisions of 8 in each league, with however many wildcards you would want in each league.

If you are going to do New Orleans, I would maybe do Austin or Montreal. Portland would also be a good choice with New Orleans. I don't think the Braves would want two more Southern teams to enter the league, so Nashville would be out if New Orleans is in. Portland would give the Mariners a regional rival, which is why I would choose them. Montreal has already failed, and I'd rather give a state with no team an expansion team.

I definitely would not split up the Cubs and Cards, they both need to be in the same division.

madcowsmind · 04-20-2025, 10:33 PM

That's valuable info. I always liked larger divisions or even no divisions of the old days. Trying not to be too crazy though like I do with my fictional leagues. It seems modern American sports love divisions and lots of playoff teams. I'm definitely going New Orleans though.

venflaalachi · 04-20-2025, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcowsmind

That's valuable info. I always liked larger divisions or even no divisions of the old days. Trying not to be too crazy though like I do with my fictional leagues. It seems modern American sports love divisions and lots of playoff teams. I'm definitely going New Orleans though.

I tend to do the same in my fictional leagues. I've done no divisions before, with the top X teams making the playoffs. Right now in my fictional league, I have 3 divisions of 10 teams. I was going to suggest getting rid of division entirely, but as you noted, that might be too crazy.

Bluenoser · 04-21-2025, 06:37 AM

This is how I did my expanded ML setup. 3 Div with 6 teams each. Div winners plus 2 WC's from each league.

No Inter-league play - DH in AL, No DH in NL

WC is best of 3
Div Series best of 5 with 1-4 split (better record gets 4 home games)
LCS best of 7 - standard 2-3-2 split
WS best of 9 - 3hm, 4away, 2hm
_

04-20-2025, 10:10 PM	#1
madcowsmind Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Cordova, IL Posts: 61	Thoughts on MLB expansion... I was hoping to get ideas from the community on future MLB expansion. I'm sure that this has been discussed but I don't usually do real world saves. After some research with articles and even AI, It seems 8... 4 team divisions could be a great idea. New orleans, Austin, Nashville, Montreal are on my list of sites. One scenario had the AI taking the Cardinals (to the south division) away from the Cubs which is one of the best rivalries in baseball. I am heavy on the New Orleans idea because I want them to be the New Orleans Voodoo and I will take over as GM. Just interested on thoughts of what you guys would do. Thanks for any ideas!

04-21-2025, 06:37 AM	#5
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,177	This is how I did my expanded ML setup. 3 Div with 6 teams each. Div winners plus 2 WC's from each league. No Inter-league play - DH in AL, No DH in NL WC is best of 3 Div Series best of 5 with 1-4 split (better record gets 4 home games) LCS best of 7 - standard 2-3-2 split WS best of 9 - 3hm, 4away, 2hm _ Attached Images

04-20-2025, 10:20 PM	#2
venflaalachi Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 284	I don't like 4 team divisions since it can lead to some bad teams making the playoffs. I'd rather have 2 divisions of 8 in each league, with however many wildcards you would want in each league. If you are going to do New Orleans, I would maybe do Austin or Montreal. Portland would also be a good choice with New Orleans. I don't think the Braves would want two more Southern teams to enter the league, so Nashville would be out if New Orleans is in. Portland would give the Mariners a regional rival, which is why I would choose them. Montreal has already failed, and I'd rather give a state with no team an expansion team. I definitely would not split up the Cubs and Cards, they both need to be in the same division.

04-20-2025, 10:33 PM	#3
madcowsmind Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Cordova, IL Posts: 61	That's valuable info. I always liked larger divisions or even no divisions of the old days. Trying not to be too crazy though like I do with my fictional leagues. It seems modern American sports love divisions and lots of playoff teams. I'm definitely going New Orleans though.