While Minnesota Twins fans may not get the ownership change they were hoping for, they may get a significant change that will drastically change their outlook. During Sunday Night Baseball's broadcast on ESPN, the MLB commissioner hinted that once more teams are added, that could lead to divisions being realigned.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says expansion could spark major changes:
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 18, 2025
• Geographic realignment to ease travel
• A more appealing postseason format for partners like ESPN
• New opportunities in untapped markets
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Twins fans have grown used to hating the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, and the Kansas City Royals. Of course, in recent seasons, the Twins have become an afterthought in the division. The final blow came at the MLB trade deadline last month when the front office decimated the Major League roster.
While theorizing what realignment could look like, the impression is that Major League Baseball could be adding two teams in the coming years. One of those teams is expected to be in Nashville, with another team possibly being in Charlotte or Utah. While this talk remains in the infancy stage, Jim Bowden of The Athletic has already had a look at what geographical realignment might look like.
MLB realignment talk leaves Twins bracing for rivalry shake-up
Bowden tosses out the idea of having an American League and National League, instead, rolling out the premise of an Eastern Conference and Western Conference. The Twins would be a part of the Western Conference in the Midwest Division. The division would feature the Twins, White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Chicago Cubs.
On one hand, the Twins would be getting away from the Tigers. On the other hand, their life wouldn't get any easier being in the same division as the Brewers and Tigers. For reference, the Brewers are the best team in baseball this season, and 12.5 games separate the Cubs and Twins. Of course, having the White Sox in the division would still be a benefit for the Twins, considering they still are the superior team to their current AL Central counterpart.
The hope is that being in the same division as the Brewers would inspire the Twins, considering Milwaukee has turned into a juggernaut despite being in baseball's smallest market. The reality, however, is that Pohlad family would likely use it as another excuse not to put their best foot forward when it comes to baseball operations.