Houston Astros moving to the American League

**Strikeout King** · 10-12-2011, 01:09 PM

Astros owner Drayton McLane is expected to complete the sale of the team to Jim Crane in mid-November, according to Peter Gammons of MLB Network (on Twitter). The arrangement would move Houston to the American League West and even MLB into two leagues of 15 teams.

The sale of the Astros is intertwined with baseball's current round of collective bargaining. MLB is likely to add a Wild Card team by 2012 or 2013 and moving the Astros to the American League would likely accelerate expanded playoffs.

McLane recently said he expects the sale to be complete within three or four weeks. Last week, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes looked ahead to Houston's offseason.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/as...to-al.html

**Stardust** · 10-12-2011, 04:12 PM

Hunh, I never think of the Astro's anyhow. No loss to the NL

**Strikeout King** · 10-12-2011, 05:06 PM

^ Couldn't agree more!

**LWC** · 10-12-2011, 05:14 PM

Even leagues now, I like it. Not so easy to win the AL West, and not so hard to win the NL Central.....at least statistically anymore. Wink

**More Cowbell** · 10-12-2011, 05:50 PM

Stardust Wrote:Hunh, I never think of the Astro's anyhow. No loss to the NL

It is a big loss, SD! There goes several easy wins for the Reds next year!!! :Sad04:

**Stardust** · 10-12-2011, 07:04 PM

^ LOL, you are dead-nuts accurate there!

**Amun-Ra** · 10-12-2011, 07:30 PM

I like the move by the Astros to the AL. This gives them a definite rival in the Rangers and it evens the leagues.