With the NHL and NFL having 32 teams, it feels likely that MLB expansion is bound to happen sooner rather than later. With the A’s moving to Las Vegas, plenty of other cities could be intriguing options for the next round of MLB expansion. While most articles look at realistic options, let’s instead look at the “fun” options that logically may not (okay…definitely don’t) make the most sense for Major League Baseball’s 31st and 32nd teams.
Fun MLB Expansion Possibilities
Boone, North Carolina
While cities like Charlotte and the Raleigh / Durham area likely make logical choices, the baseball world always falls in love when pictures of the Appalachian State baseball stadium make it’s rounds on social media.
Situated in the picturesque Appalachian Mountains, it’s hard to argue that there is a more beautiful baseball stadium in the world. Unfortunately, the town of Boone only has a population of 18,000 but it’s fun to imagine this stadium hosting a World Series game giving a whole new definition to the Fall Classic.
Malibu, California
Like Appalachian State’s baseball stadium, Pepperdine also happens to play with a very picturesque backdrop. Unlike their counterpart in North Carolina, Pepperdine trades fall foliage for the Pacific Ocean.
Located in the seemingly always sunny Malibu, an MLB expansion team could quickly rival McCovey Cove in San Francisco for most baseballs hit into a body water. Right handed sluggers like Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuña Jr. would waste no time depositing baseballs into the ocean.
An aquatic name likely would be in play here, perhaps the Malibu Mussels?
Palmer, Alaska
One of the biggest counter arguments for Malibu as an MLB expansion city would be the already 4 teams located in California plus the recent loss of the A’s. So instead of the extremely populated California, Alaska would offer a cool alternative.
Situated at the Alaskan Fairgrounds, an MLB team here would have Pioneer Peak serving as an intimidating backdrop. The Peak could also easily lend its name for a future team called the Palmer Pioneers.
Field of Dreams Field, Iowa
Over the last few years, MLB has been utilizing the iconic movie site to host a yearly game, and when looking at pictures it’s easy to see why.
However, the argument in this article won’t be having a team in Iowa to utilize this beautiful stadium. Instead, it will argue to put a team in Iowa to allow local fans to no longer have as many MLB blackouts. Currently, fans in Iowa face blackouts for both Chicago teams, the Brewers, the Cardinals, the Royals, and the Twins.
Sure, MLB could simply end the blackouts, but sadly, this might be a more realistic option.
Havana, Cuba
Perhaps the best way to add passion into Florida baseball, instead of focusing on Tampa Bay and Miami, would be an MLB expansion team in Cuba. The political rivalry between the United States and Cuba is well documented, so this article will instead focus on what would make an MLB team work in Havanna.
For starters, Cuba rivals the Dominican Republic and Japan as the most passionate island fanbases when it comes to competing in the World Baseball Classic. With stars having come through MLB like Orlando Hernandez, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu, baseball is in the blood for most Cubans.
Miami and Havana would quickly become a huge rivalry that could hopefully rival Yankees and Red Sox, or at least Royals and Cardinals?
With MLB Expansion potentially nearing, let us know which cities you think would be the most fun or most realistic in the comments below!
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