Players agree to realignment that puts Dodgers, Astros, Angels in same division

The Los Angeles Dodgers could have some exciting new division rivals for the 2020 season.

While there are many financial and health details to sort out between MLB owners and players before a 2020 season is played, it appears an agreement has been tentatively reached to radically realign the traditional American and National Leagues in a way that would put the Los Angeles Dodgers in the same division as the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels.

Get your nachos ready!

According to the Boston Globe, the players agreed to the radical realignment in their latest counterproposal to the league that included a 114-game schedule with players paid on a pro-rated basis, a sticking point in negotiations. Reports circulated on Monday that if a compromise between the players and owners can’t be reached, it’s possible a season with as few as 50 games could be played as a last resort.

Major League Baseball has been considering using realigned leagues since April. It appears the players are looking for areas of agreement between the two sides while holding strong on their commitment to be paid for as many games as possible.

Dodgers, Angels, and Astros, oh my!

If the realignment proposal does go through, the American League West and National League West would merge into a new 10-team division that would feature the Dodgers’ traditional division rivals, along with the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros.

While it would be fun to add some competitive juice to the Freeway Series, the real excitement over the proposed realignment would be pitting the Dodgers against the team that “stole” their 2017 World Series title.

Dusty Baker – who took over as manager of the Astros for the suspended and fired A.J. Hinch – recently said he has nothing to say to the Dodgers about the Astros cheating in 2017, and essentially pointed the finger back at Los Angeles by indicating everyone has something to hide.

Dodgers: Pros and Cons of signing Trevor Bauer next offseason

Impending free agent Trevor Bauer hopes to play in Los Angeles someday, should the Dodgers sign him? We still don't know ...

The plan to merge teams from similar geographical locations is intended to reduce travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. It appears both the owners and players are assuming play will return in home ballparks, albeit with no fans in attendance, at least at first.