Davidoff: MLB in right frame of mind for realignment

The proposed realignment of Major League Baseball’s leagues, which was first reported last week by ESPN, seems to be gaining momentum as the owners and players continue their discussions about the next collective bargaining agreement.

And it’s driven by a purpose so noble, you might not believe it:

Baseball is prioritizing competitive integrity over marketing.

Finally, the powers are recognizing how ludicrous it is that a National League Central team has to outplay five other teams, while an American League West club has to outperform just three others.

The easy solution, and the only one that has been seriously discussed, is switching the Houston Astros from the NL Central to the AL West. That would give us six divisions of five clubs each, and geographically, it would 1) make team travel quite simple in the NL Central and 2) appease the Rangers, who have to visit distant Anaheim, Oakland and Seattle thrice each season, with three trips to nearby Houston.

(No, they’re not going to eradicate divisions altogether. What fun would that be?)

The only downside to this? There’ll obviously be interleague play all of the time, rather than the current compressed period. Bud Selig loves how interleague play feels special now, and he’ll lose that.

But for the sport with the worst-designed structure and schedule, evening out the divisions would be a huge benefit to the cost of de-emphasizing interleague play.

Good Vibrations

Speaking of those collective bargaining negotiations . . . they’re going very well, by all accounts. They’re occurring every week, sometimes at MLB headquarters in New York, sometimes in other locales.

This past week, the two sides met Tuesday and Wednesday in Manhattan and discussed international play and core economic issues.

If you’re a betting person, put a few bucks on the new CBA getting completed either before or during the World Series, so that it doesn’t impact the Fall Classic and so that MLB looks even rosier compared to the NFL and NBA, both of which have labor headaches.

Endy’s Return

The Texas Rangers stayed at a Manhattan hotel this past week, as all clubs do when they’re playing the Yankees or Mets. Josh Hamilton surely drew attention from the fans and autograph-seekers there, and perhaps Michael Young, as well.

Someone else, too, however.

“It’s fun. I feel good,” Endy Chavez said. “I feel people appreciate all of the things I did for the Mets. That’s a great feeling.”

Even better, though, is the happiness Chavez possesses just to be back in the major leagues.

You might recall that the Mets traded Chavez — best remembered for his homer-saving catch (of St. Louis’ Scott Rolen) in 2006 NL Championship Series Game 6 — to Seattle as part of the December 2008 three-way trade that brought J.J. Putz to Flushing. On June 19, 2009, Chavez collided with Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and shredded his right knee.

He played in eight minor-league games in the Rangers organization last year before shutting it down, realizing that he needed more time. Now, he’s ready. He entered Friday’s action with a .394 on-base percentage and .530 slugging percentage in 73 plate appearances.

“He’s given us some energy,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “He’s supplied us with some big hits. He’s certainly shown that his legs are back under him. He’s a pro.”

“It was tough to be out again for a long time. I’m very excited,” Chavez said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and trying to enjoy it a lot.”

Gordon’s Options

Kudos to Brian Gordon for his fine performance Thursday in his Yankees debut. And to Gordon’s agent David Schwartz, for negotiating the opt-out into Gordon’s contract with the Phillies.

And to Brian Cashman, for taking a shot on the little-known Gordon and seeing that gamble pay off.

Who else expressed interest in Gordon? The Rangers and A’s. Neither team moved as quickly as the Yankees, however.