 |
| Will the Expos return to Major League Baseball? |
The MLB is talking about expanding for the first time since 1998. Nice. Expansion in pretty much all the major league sports has died off since the early 2000s yet all we see are skyrocketing values in franchise values. Makes sense for leagues to start to kick around expansion.
Baseball can see itself expanding soon and two teams make the most sense. For one, it would place a 16th team in each league. Second off, it can right one wrong.
Any baseball expansion needs to include Montreal, provided they can get a new stadium built. The Expos were a fine franchise during its time and was basically crushed into moving to Washington DC. I would love a return of the Expos to baseball and think that's a no-brainer.
The other franchise is debatable. Portland, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, New Jersey, Vegas and Charlotte top the list. Maybe a Mexican city or Puerto Rico would be viable. Since I grew up in Charlotte, I'm "bullish" on the Queen City. Of the cities mentioned above, they are the only one with two professional franchises already (unless you consider New York's NFL teams as "Jersey teams"). They have no territorial team already (it is Braves country, but that isn't a rock solid thing).
Forget arguing, I'm going with Charlotte.
That brings us to the next issue -- realignment. With the two leagues at 16 teams, do you realign to four divisions now? Do you move teams to different leagues yet again? Can I find a way to move the Astros back to the National League where they belong?
Well, I think moving to four divisions will happen.
