MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Reveals Two Potential Expansion Cities

This past weekend, the MLB returned the Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years. The three-game series, which featured the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, was a success. There was a combined no-hitter on Friday and over 65,000 fans stopped throughout the weekend. Most importantly, however, was commissioner Rob Manfred’s appearance on Fox Sports San Diego during Friday night’s broadcast. Among other things, Manfred talked about potential MLB expansion, saying he “would like to get to 32” teams.

Rob Manfred said on @FOXSportsSD telecast that @MLB “would like to get to 32” teams, citing benefits to scheduling and playoff format. When asked about Montreal and Mexico, he said both are possible expansion locations. @MLBNetwork @LasMayores

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 5, 2018

Now at 30, that means he’d like to add two expansion franchises. When asked by Fox Sports’ announcers at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey, he revealed that both Montreal and Mexico were possibilities.

In addition to these two locations, Nike execs are trying to get a team in Portland. And last year, Manfred cited three cities — the two he mentioned on Friday and Charlotte.

Personally, I think Montreal and Portland would be the two best spots. Montreal deserves it — like Seattle in the NBA — after getting their first team ripped away, and Portland is just a fantastic sports city. Anyone that saw The Battered Bastards of Baseball documentary knows the city would support a team.