Jeff Passan Predicts Major Change Coming to MLB
The last time we saw a new MLB franchise was 1998 when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Arizona Diamondbacks joined the league, but that could soon change. In an interview with Front Office Sports, ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan made a major prediction for the future of the MLB. Passan expects the league to expand from 30 teams to 32 in the coming years, going so far as to call the expansion inevitable.
"[MLB] expansion is going to happen. It's inevitable."
— Front Office Sports News (@FOS_News_) March 28, 2026
ESPN baseball insider @JeffPassan tells FOS why he feels MLB expansion is only a matter of time, and warns what the league should be mindful of as it eyes growth. pic.twitter.com/B3gbrOvkwI
Passan says that in terms of scheduling, 32 teams makes much more sense than 30, allowing the league to switch to eight four-team divisions. The MLB would be following in the footsteps of the other major US sports leagues, as the NHL and NFL already have 32 teams, and the NBA recently introduced plans for expansion.
Expansion could come with some unpopular changes, Passan added. The shift in divisions could potentially change some of the rivalries that fans love. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has talked about geographical realignment if the league moves to 32 teams. This would mean teams like the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies would be division rivals, as well as both New York City teams.
While this could upset some, Passan says that fans are malleable and will adapt to these changes quickly. He compared the changes to the MLB's implementation of the pitch clock, which was maligned at first but has quickly become an accepted part of the game. Passan said that seeing the Mets and Yankees in the same divsion would certainly feel weird, and he's interested to see how it would land with fans.