See Also Realignment in baseball stirred up some sour feelings. When commi sioner Rob Manfred pointed out that Major League Baseball expansion could also mean realigning the divisions and conferences, the baseball world had itself a tizzy, speculating that it would ruin decades-long rivalries, among other traditions of Americas Pastime. MLB analyst and former Yankee Cameron Maybin was one of those firmly in the anti-realignment camp. Manfreds realignment talk isnt just about moving teams around, it tilts playoff balance. Some divisions get watered down others overloaded and rivalries that drive October storylines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity, not manufactured shakeups, former Yankee and Mets outfielder Cameron Maybin posted on X. In the speculated potential realignment, four teams that have won a combined six World Series since the start of the 2004 season and Chris Kreider Jersey are constantly near the top of MLB in payroll would be in the same division due to their proximity. Major League Baseball Commi sioner Rob Manfred discu sed MLB realignment as a po sibility. Getty Images Explore More With 28.6% of the last twenty World Series winner potentially being in the same division, Maybin speculated that these changes would dramatically affect competitive balance within the league as well. Meanwhile, the new-look South Division, which could in theory feature an expansion team in Nashville, Tenn., as well as the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, would feature zero current teams with records above .500 and just one World Series win since 2004. Manfreds realignment talk isnt just about moving teams around it tilts playoff balance. Some divisions get watered down others overloaded and rivalries that drive October storylines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity not manufactured shakeups. Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) Cameron Maybin isnt a fan of MLB realignment. Getty Images In the proposed revamped Central division, the Cardinals, Reds and White Sox all have payrolls in the bottom half of the league, with only the Cubs (eighth in payroll) having the look of a team ready to spend big to win. Baseball has already changed quite a bit in recent years, with the National League instituting the designated hitter and both leagues have expanded postseasons in recent years. Rob Manfreds realignment plan eliminate the two-league system for geographic conferences. NY Post called the potential realignment total destruction if the American and National League cease to exist. Michael Kay was among the more open-minded about it, saying its worth a try. Nick Bonino Jersey