The MLB will expand at some point soon. Expansion is a less common term than some other baseball terms, but it is fairly straightforward. Without further ado, let’s discuss what the next MLB expansion team will be.

Why Add a New MLB Expansion Team?

As with NBA expansion, there are a number of reasons why the MLB would want to add a new team. Naturally, one of these reasons is financial gain. A new team means more games and more revenue for Major League Baseball. However, this is not the only reason why expansion makes sense for the league.

Another reason why expansion makes sense for the league is that adding a team team brings new fans into the sport. There are many cities in the United States with passionate sports teams that lack a MLB team. Adding a new team is great for these fans and serves an important purpose.

Also, adding a new team brings excitement to the league as the complexion of the league changes as a result. It is less straightforward where a new team would call home compared to NBA expansion. However, there are a number of cities that could be good host cities for a new MLB team.

Where Would The New Team Play?

As previously stated, there are a number of cities that could host a new MLB team. One of these cities is the city of Nashville, Tennessee. People may associate Tennessee with music more than professional sports. However, there is a passionate sports fan base that the new MLB team could appeal to in order to draw in fans.

As many people know, Memphis is the host city of the Memphis Grizzlies and the team has been quite successful since moving to Memphis. Additionally, Nashville has a successful minor-league baseball team. Adding a new team in Nashville makes sense for several reasons.

Charlotte, North Carolina Is Another Sensible Host City

Charlotte, North Carolina also makes sense as the host of a new MLB team. As many people know, there is a strong sports culture in the city of Charlotte. There are two major sports teams that play their home games in Charlotte. These teams are the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and Charlotte FC of the MLS.

Additionally, Charlotte is a major city and boasts a growing population. This bodes well for a new team. Charlotte could certainly be the home of a new team.

A New MLB Expansion Team In Montreal, Canada Makes Sense

Many people do not associate Canada with the sport of baseball. However, that does not mean there isn’t a city in Canada that could work as a host city for a new MLB team. The city of Montreal makes the most sense. Montreal has a strong baseball tradition and it even had an MLB team years ago called the Expos. Hockey remains the most popular sport in Canada but strong support for the Toronto Raptors confirms that there is plenty of interest in other sports in Canada.

Raleigh, North Carolina Could Be The Team’s Home

Another city that could host the new MLB expansion team is Raleigh, North Carolina. This might not seem like an obvious choice, but it makes sense for several reasons. Similar to Charlotte, Raleigh is a major city that already has a growing population. Additionally, there are two Minor League Baseball teams based in the Raleigh area.

These teams are the Durham Bulls and the Carolina Mudcats. These two teams have been successful. When the MLB expands, choosing Raleigh, North Carolina as the new team’s host city is sensible.

Portland, Oregon Could Host the New Team

In terms of cities in the western United States, Portland, Oregon stands out as a strong candidate for a new MLB team. Portland boasts a strong sports culture and already has several professional sports teams. These teams include the Portland Timbers of the MLB and the Portland Trailblazers of the NBA.

Additionally, Portland has a growing population, which often bodes well for a new team. Portland has the resources to create infrastructure for the new team and fans to fill the seats. It remains a sensible choice for a new MLB expansion team.

Salt Lake City, Utah Could Serve as the New MLB Expansion Team’s Home

Utah doesn’t have that many professional sports teams, but it does have a passionate base of sports fans. Salt Lake City is already the home of two professional sports teams. These are Salt Lake City FC of the MLS and the Utah Jazz of the NBA.

This confirms that the city has the resources and the fanbase necessary to support a new MLB team. Additionally, as with many other cities on this list, Salt Lake City is a growing city. All these reasons make Salt Lake City a suitable choice to host a new MLB team.

San Jose, California Is A Good Choice for the Host City

The city of San Jose, California also makes sense as a host city for the new MLB team. There are a number of reasons for this. The first reason is that San Jose has a decent-sized sports fan base.

The fact that the San Jose Sharks of the NHL play there is a sign of this reality. Also, the city of San Jose has several potential sites where a major league ballpark could be built. Adding a new team in San Jose would be an understandable decision.

When Will MLB Expansion Happen?

Sometimes, it can be difficult to say when a professional sports league will expand. There may be talk of expansion for years before it actually happens. However, there is a relatively clear timetable for MLB expansion, thankfully.

The commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, stated that he expects to have a plan in place to add two new teams to the MLB by 2029. Naturally, the new teams wouldn’t be ready to play immediately. However, the two new teams could start playing MLB games in 2031.

That concludes the discussion on the next MLB expansion team.