Rob Manfred's division realignment plan should force Orioles to change their ways

When Rob Manfred floated future division realignment based on geography in response to a question about expansion, it had baseball fans everywhere buzzing. While there is some reasonable disagreement as to which cities MLB should expand into among Nashville, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, and/or Portland, the idea of divisions being aligned regionally has been the talk of the league, with fans wondering if it would help or hurt their teams. If that change were to be implemented, it could also force the Baltimore Orioles to change how they run the team.

For years, Mike Elias has eschewed spending on free agents or making any appreciable investment at all in pitching outside of trading for Corbin Burnes. Instead, he has leaned into the small market mentality and has prioritized developing young offensive talent and trying to get as many wins as possible out of them before they inevitably leave in free agency.

While Baltimore has found some success doing that in the past, the Orioles will have to start spending and actually being aggressive if division realignment happens the way many expect it to.

Proposed division realignment plan should make the Orioles finally start investing in their roster

For some teams like the Braves, Rockies, Royals, and Rays, the odds that they will be up against brand new (and arguably worse) division foes are pretty high based on the best guesses we have right now. However, if expansion proceeds as expected and new geography-based divisions will be put in place. The Orioles are extremely likely to have to go against the same AL East big market problems they have had for years in the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays, while shedding the only other team in the division that doesn't throw their weight around in the Rays.

At first glance, it seems like nothing should change for Baltimore under this new arrangement. However, one of the biggest reasons for division realignment is to alleviate the stress and cost of travel during the season. If Boston, New York, and the Blue Jays don't have to spend as much on travel during the season, the odds are high that they will be willing to invest those savings in their roster, while there is no guarantee whatsoever that the Orioles would follow suit if trends hold.

In some ways, this could end up being the push that the Orioles need if/when expansion happens. Baltimore has deep-pocketed new ownership and an exciting young core right now. Since that alone isn't enough to spur the Orioles front office into actually making impact signings and trades, perhaps having more motivated division rivals and one less team between them and a playoff spot would do the trick.

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