As the Tampa Bay Rays play out the remainder of the 2025 campaign, there are conflicting feelings regarding the present and future of the franchise. The present is filled with disappointment about potentially missing the playoffs for the second straight season. On the other hand, there is excitement surrounding young talents like Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero, etc. In regards to the future, there is curiosity about what new ownership will provide and exactly how the franchise will acclimate to a new stadium. Injected into all of that is the very real possibility of division realignment. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred started spreading the rumor when he appeared on ESPN, and MLB divisional realignment would have huge ramifications for the Rays going forward.
MLB Commissioner Makes Waves by Floating Realignment
Rob Manfred has been busy changing baseball, with the advent of a pitch timer, larger bases, and a universal DH. The latest change is one that he hopes will take place just as he retires from his current position. The first step would be expanding baseball by two teams, something that will only occur once the Athletics and Rays have their stadium situations resolved. The next step would be geographical realignment with the aim of reducing travel for clubs. Divisions would be redrawn, and the American and National Leagues may cease to exist if the proposed changes are made.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently fleshed out what baseball could look like under these circumstances. Bowden has the Rays in a new Eastern Conference Southeast Division with the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, and whatever expansion city comes about (Charlotte, Nashville, etc.). The other AL East occupants will be shifted over to different divisions within the Eastern Conference.
Is it time to bring it back
A realignment plan from the archives, via @JimBowdenGM: https://t.co/IF0oOia1OJ pic.twitter.com/rJPZYAWClS
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 18, 2025
The Rays Welcome MLB Divisional Realignment
The Tampa Bay Rays have done an amazing job competing with limited resources and a shoestring budget. The Rays compete in a division where 32% (52/162) of their total games are played against teams with bigger budgets.
The Rays would salivate at the possibility of playing more games against the Miami Marlins. They have historically dominated their regular-season matchups. Miami loves the Rays so much that they hired their top baseball guy to run the organization in South Florida. The Rays are everything Miami wants to become, and that could lead to a heightened in-state rivalry between the two clubs. The Atlanta Braves, on the other hand, have historically operated with elevated payrolls. The Braves’ geographical proximity may help foster a rivalry because many of the Atlanta fans frequently visit the Tampa region. The Braves and Rays are two of the best organizations in baseball because of their recent success and stability.
The Last Word
This proposed realignment is years away from becoming reality. Still, the MLB commissioner going on national TV to openly float the idea is not an accident. The Rays would really benefit from this setup. The Rays have been in business since 1998 and possess a sub-.500 record against every team in the current AL East with the exception of the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. Even that can be slightly misleading, considering how those two “bird” clubs still have young, talented rosters with bright futures. Now the Rays wouldn’t be at such an enormous payroll disadvantage with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. That payroll chasm may create a spicy “David and Goliath” storyline, but it’s not good for the health of the sport. The Rays are entering a new chapter, and new rivalries with other teams appear to be in the near future.
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Main Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
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