Mets focus on season amid MLB realignment chatter

The Mets keep focus on the season as MLB weighs expansion and a possible geographic realignment.

Mets aren't dwelling on MLB realignment rumors as debate rages

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred floated a plan to geographically realign the league as part of a future expansion that would add two teams and push the total to 32. The idea has sparked feverish debate among fans and media, but Mets officials and players largely focus on the season ahead.

Cities circling expansion include Nashville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Salt Lake City and Portland. A realignment would likely force changes to regular-season schedules and postseason formats, though no firm timetable has been announced. The discussion underscores how growth plans can collide with on-field realities and traditional rivalries.

When asked about the proposal, a Mets player offered a cautious response, noting that two extra teams could be cool but emphasizing the need to keep the focus on performance and preparation. The Mets’ public stance suggests a preference for stability on the field even as the league explores structural changes behind the scenes.

This moment shows how league growth talks can shape the tone of the sport far from the ballpark. Realignment and expansion carry potential benefits in fan reach and revenue, but they also raise questions about travel, competitive balance, and how memories of historic rivalries will be preserved. The Mets’ measured posture contrasts with the public debate, signaling that teams may push back against map changes even as leagues chase new markets. Looking ahead, fans will judge growth plans not by the size of the map but by how they affect access to games, competitive fairness, and local pride.

Highlights

The map of baseball will keep evolving as insiders weigh growth against continuity.