Rob Manfred’s realignment plan is a missed opportunity for longtime White Sox rivalry

Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesFrom a pitch clock, to bigger bases, to banning the shift, Major League Baseball has seen a number of substantial changes in recent years. The biggest change, however, may be yet to come. MLB hasn’t expanded the league since the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joined the league for the 1998 season, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred hasn’t been shy about his plan to expand the league to 32 teams before his contract expires in 2029. With expansion will likely come realignment based on geography, so MLB could see a massive change to its divisional structure within the next few years. If Manfred gets his way, however, it’ll be a missed opportunity for the White Sox.

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