Major League Baseball

Rays owner sees positives in realignment

Published Jun. 28, 2011 11:28 p.m. ET

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Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg thinks realignment in baseball could be a good thing.

''Basically, any change would be, I think I'd view as positive,'' Sternberg said before the Rays hosted Cincinnati on Tuesday night. ''When you look at the 30 teams, and I can't speak for any of the others nor would I, we've got as tough a sled to haul as anybody does.''

Tampa Bay, despite entering Tuesday with a 44-35 record, trails both Boston and the New York Yankees in the AL East.

Major League Baseball is considering a proposal that would have 15 teams in the American League and 15 clubs in the National League, as opposed to the present format of 16 teams in the NL and 14 in the AL. Under the possible plan, the leagues would not be split into divisions. The top three teams would make the playoffs. The fourth- and fifth-place clubs would be wild cards and play for one spot.

Commissioner Bud Selig's committee for on-field matters, a panel that includes executives, managers and others, has discussed the change that would take effect in 2012.

Owners and players would have to agree to the plan as part of their talks on a new labor contract, with the current deal expiring this December.

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