Fixing MLB Series: Expansion and Relocation
Memphis/Nashville
Memphis/Nashville both own significant sports franchises, and a baseball team in either of these cities would thrive. Geographically, Memphis would be close to St. Louis and could overlap their fan base. Nashville’s nearest MLB team would be either the Reds or the Cardinals, but is a better split between the two, potentially.
New Orleans
New Orleans is a geographical wasteland for Major League Baseball. N’awlins has multiple major sports franchises, and the passionate fans show great support for both teams. The next closest Big League team is either Houston or Tampa Bay, but fans in Louisiana aren’t committed to either and would gravitate to a new MLB team in the Crescent City.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the first-choice destination for the Oakland Athletics should they fail to get a new stadium. If Oakland comes through and can keep the team, then expansion to Las Vegas makes sense.
Sin City already has two major sports franchises, and it hosts the NBA summer league making Vegas a high-priority city for expansion. While Las Vegas encroaches somewhat into Diamondbacks territory, the city is known as more of a Dodgers town.
Portland
Portland is a major city that would benefit greatly from another professional sports team. A team based in the Rose City creates a fantastic geographical rivalry with the Seattle Mariners.
That redundancy might not be financially responsible for either franchise, as adding a team in Portland cannibalizes the M’s fanbase.
Another argument against Portland getting an expansion baseball team is sustaining multiple major franchises of the same sport in the Pacific Northwest hasn’t worked so far.
San Antonio
San Antonio is the most populated city in the United States without a professional baseball team within 200 miles of its city limits. Texas has only two baseball teams, despite being the second most populated state in the country. In addition, the third-most Major League players come from Texas. Adding a franchise in the Lone Star State would also create the potential for better geographical rivalries.
Indianapolis/Louisville
Indianapolis/Louisville, either of these cities, would do well as home to an MLB team. Indiana and Kentucky are both absent from the Major League Baseball conversation despite teams all around these states. The rust belt has the most Major League franchises geographically, with eight teams in the areas surrounding Indianapolis and Louisville.
Charlotte
Charlotte should be considered for expansion based on geographical separation from other MLB cities. It’s a fast-growing metropolitan area and home to multiple professional sports franchises. The closest major league city would be Atlanta and wouldn’t really eat into a passionate fan base.