We are going to be expanding from 16 to 20 teams for the start of the 1977 Season. If you're interested in any of the following teams and would like to join as an expansion franchise please let me know your interest and team and I'll contact you towards the end of the 1976 season. We will be adding 2 NL and 2 AL teams.
NL Teams
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Montreal Expos - 20ks
San Diego Padres
AL Teams
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals - NebHusker
Milwaukee Brewers
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays - ljemd
Here are the rules we followed in 1966 to move from 12 to 16 teams.
1) In real life drafts, whenever there are expansion teams, they select at the end of the round in their first draft. So the four new teams will pick in picks 17-20. This order will be in the opposite order of the expansion draft.
2) Expansion draft/Protecting players. In each round of the expansion draft, existing franchises must make players available to the new teams. In the First-round teams may protect up to three players, but must leave at least two players available. In the second round, teams may protect two additional players (5 total) but must leave at least one player unprotected. In the final round, teams may protect one more player, while leaving one player unprotected. If expansion teams wish, they may select a franchises 3rd round draft pick rather than a player. Additionally, there will be no add/drop period after the draft. If you roster a player prior to the expansion draft and that player is not selected by an expansion team, you have to keep him or trade him.
3) One-year transitions for current Team Icons. Any player who is currently a Team Icon because he played for a once defunct, now active franchise, may be utilized on your roster according to career keeper guidelines for one season only. Beginning in 1978 that player would have to be on an active roster or cut. For example, prior to 1977 Hal McRae was a Team Icon for the Reds, because the Royals were not in our league. According to the rules, McRae could be placed on IR in 1978 because he played for the Royals. That's fine for one more season. In 1978, he is no longer a career keeper and should be cut or rostered. Of course, the Reds could make him available in the expansion draft if the Royals are picked as an expansion team.