Montreal a 'frontrunner' for expansion, MLB commissioner says
But league has to deal with lingering labour, stadium issues before attention turns to expansion
The head of Major League Baseball says Montreal is among his preferred locations for an international expansion of the league.
Speaking to U.S.broadcaster CSN Chicago on Thursday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that Montreal is on his short list of cities that could support a major league team.
"My personal front-runner would be either Montreal or Mexico City, where we could go plan a sustained basis," Manfred said.
"I think it would be great for the growth of the game. And I think Mexico City, in particular, would be new ground for us."
Issues to resolve
But before the league looks at expansion, there are lingering issues that Manfred first wants addressed.
"We need to get a new labour deal. We have a couple of franchises — Tampa and Oakland — that need to get their stadium situations resolved before we move ahead," Manfred said.
The commissioner's comments may be the strongest endorsement yet of Montreal's chances of securing big-league baseball's return. The city has been without an MLB team since the Expos moved to Washington after the 2004 season.
Mayor Denis Coderre has made the return of the Expos a priority of his administration. He has lobbied the league persistently to consider Montreal the next time it expands.
The city's case for expansion has been supported by the sold-out exhibition games it has hosted the past three years.