The Fousesquawk MLB Realignment Plan

Anyone looking at the breakdown of divisions in major League Baseball will instantly note that an unfair balance exists between the American and National Leagues. Each league has three divisions, East Central and West. The problem is that among the 30 teams, the National League has 16 and the American League has 14. Worse yet, the American League West has only 4 teams, while the National League Central has 6. That means that teams in the former have a higher odds of winning their division than teams in the latter. All the other divisions have 5 teams. The answer is obvious; the American League West should add a team, while the National League Central should subtract a team. The problem is how to do it. Here is my plan.

First of all, teams with a long tradition in either league should not be switched. For example, the Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, Indians etc should remain in the American League. In addition, teams like the Cardinals, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, etc. should remain in the National League. The other factor is keeping a team in its appropriate geographical division. That makes it somewhat easy.

1. Switch the Arizona Diamondbacks to the American league West giving them 5 teams.

2. Switch the Houston Astros from the National League Central  in the National League West to replace Arizona keeping that division at 5 teams.

Now it looks like this:

AL

West

Arizona
Oakland
Seattle
Angels
Texas

Central

KC
White Sox
Tigers
Twins
Indians

East

NY
Boston
Baltimore
Toronto
Tampa Bay

NL

West

LA
SF
Colorado
SD
Houston

Central

Cubs
Brewers
Cardinals
Pirates
Reds

East

Braves
Mets
Phillies
Marlins
Nationals

Here's another bonus for Cub fans (like me); Now the Cubs don't have to compete in the biggest division in the majors, which is possibly the reason they never win the pennant.

I suggest we try this for a trial period of say, 5 years. If the Cubs still don't win the pennant, then further realignment will be necessary. Plan B would look something like this:

NL West

LA
SF
SD
Colorado
Houston
St Louis
Milwaukee

NL East

Mets
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Reds
Pirates

NL Central

Cubs

Playoff format:

Winner of NL East plays 7-game series against NL West. Winner of that series plays winner of NL Central, who would have home field advantage. We could call it the Chicago Cub Fairness Plan.

No?

"....All'alba perdero,
perdero......
PERDEROOOOOO!"