The Rays could have the players union as a powerful ally in their efforts to be more consistently competitive, primarily by facing fewer games against the Red Sox and Yankees. New union boss Michael Weiner said after meeting with Rays players that the union would be open to some limited forms of realignment. A massive change to the traditional MLB structure might be a bit much, Weiner said, "but a realignment that I think retains the identity of the leagues but tries to address around the edges the competitive balance thing is something I think the players would have to consider." The Rays currently play 22.2 percent of their games (36 of 162) against the Red Sox and Yankees.