The D-backs may be on the move
Jun 13, 2011, 10:27 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks could be on the move in the near future. Don’t worry though, they won’t be the subject of relocation rumors like the Phoenix Coyotes. They may just be switching leagues.
While rumors have been swirling for a while that a National League team would move to the American League to give each league 15 teams, no names had been attached to said rumors. That is, until now.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale thinks the D-backs could be atop the list.
The Arizona Diamondbacks could be the team most likely to change leagues if Major League Baseball implements realignment in its new collective bargaining agreement.
It’s news team president Derrick Hall doesn’t seem too concerned about.
“We would do whatever’s best for baseball,” said Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, whose team would move to the American League West from the National League West under one of the plans being discussed by MLB and the players’ association. “Most would say us or the Astros would be best candidates (to shift leagues).”
If the D-backs were to switch leagues they would find themselves in the AL West with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, with the Houston Astros moving into the NL West to take their place.
It’s not the first time talk of the Diamondbacks moving to the American League has emerged. Back when they originally entered the league in 1998 there was talk that the franchise may eventually have to switch, but then-owner Jerry Colangelo fought the notion.
Would the move be helpful to the franchise? Maybe, but the designated hitter and the other intricacies of American League ball would take some getting used to, not just for the organization, but for the fans as well.
