Overview
- In a WFAN interview, Rob Manfred reiterated he plans to retire at the end of his contract in 2029.
- Manfred said MLB has discussed an in-season tournament and a split-season format, noting either would likely mean fewer than 162 games and complications for season-long records.
- He outlined a path to expand from 30 to 32 clubs and realign geographically into eight divisions of four, potentially moving to East and West leagues.
- Manfred said he would seek to keep two-team markets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles in separate divisions under any new alignment.
- He framed realignment as a way to reduce player travel and improve postseason TV windows, and he emphasized that these discussions are internal and subject to collective bargaining, while downplaying lockout assumptions and stating his goal is a full 162-game 2027 season.