I obviously have an ulterior motive for asking this question here.

Let's say I became commissioner of baseball (obviously by coup, and likely NOT coup d'etat). Let's say I forced franchises into 26 more cities and realigned the leagues into four divisions... first, second, third, fourth. (14 teams per division, because 12 games versus each team results in a semi-tidy 156-game schedule). Let's say that I institute promotion and relegation... the top 2 teams in 2, 3, and 4 move up after the season, the bottom 2 teams in 1, 2, and 3 move down.

Just for this exercise, assume that there is already a major league baseball team in your city.

Specifically on promotion and relegation:

Would you applaud me and vote for me for President?

Would you think it was, well, pretty cool and buy at least as many tickets as you bought previously?

Would you give a rip at all?

Would you have a scowl on your face and only grudgingly buy a ticket once in a while?

Would you arrange to have me captured and burned at the stake?

Would I vote for you as President?
Sure, the country could use a new idealogy!

Seriously, I don't know. I can say I think 14 teams per classification is too small. Makes your math simple and I'd love a slightly smaller season, but I'd prefer something on the order of 24-28 teams at the top flight. IMO, baseball isn't suffering a dirth of talent to fill the teams as much as it is a problem with general management and ownership.

Promotion and relegation? Would be okay provided it was simply at two levels and the lower lever was near equally entertaining and accessible (TV, radio). The idea of the Braves playing in a fashion of AAA ball might kill off attendance. I realize that with you smaller divisions the quality of this level would be nice, but I think for many communities the concept that the top-flight is but one level away would be necessary to keep the interest where it's needed.

Off the cuff, anyway.

Would you have a scowl on your face and only grudgingly buy a ticket once in a while?
I do that now anyway! ;)

Had this been implemented for the 2005 season, we would have had the following:

Division 1:

St. Louis
NY Yankees
Boston
Atlanta
Philadelphia
LA Dodgers
San Francisco
Minnesota
LA/Anaheim Angels
Houston
Oakland
Texas
Chicago Cubs
San Diego

Division 2:

Chicago White Sox
Florida
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Cleveland
Detroit
Seattle
New York Mets
Washington
Cinicnnati
Pittsburgh
Milwaukee
Colorado

Division 3:

Kansas City
Arizona
Toledo
Buffalo
Norfolk
Oklahoma
Tacoma
Sacramento
Salt Lake
Indianapolis
Columbus
Albuqerque
Pawtucket/Rochester/Nashville
Pawtucket/Rochester/Nashville

Division 4:

Pawtucket/Rochester/Nashville
Round Rock
Omaha
Memphis
Syracuse
Portland
Ottawa
Scranton/WB
Iowa
Louisville
New Orleans
Fresno
TucsonColorado Springs

Missing the cut for Division 4 from AAA: Richmond, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Durham

Division 1 teams ought to have some limited games against Divison 2 teams, Division 2 teams should play some Divsion 3 teams, etc., like I-A teams play I-AA teams in College Football; the result is usually a foregone conclusion, but there would always be a few matchups that would make things interesting.

None of this "limited Division 1 vs. Division 2 counting games," please.

However...

The league champion at the end of the regular season is the champion.

The World Series is a cup competition, very much like the FA Cup in England, except I'm pretty sure baseball would make it look more like March Madness. That's where all the divisions are mixed up... and maybe independent teams could also be involved.

Did I just take about 200 steps too far into dreamland or what?