We’ve got some big news out of Orlando that could shake up the future of Major League Baseball. The Orlando Dreamers—the group that’s been hustling for years to bring an MLB team to Central Florida—just made a major power move.
They’ve brought Hall of Famer Barry Larkin on board as an MLB ambassador, and if you know anything about baseball, you know that’s a big deal.
Barry Larkin Backs Orlando’s MLB Bid
Now, let’s talk about Larkin for a second. We’re talking about a guy who spent his 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, racking 12 All-Star appearances, nine Silver Slugger awards, three Gold Gloves, and the 1995 NL MVP title.
He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. Simply put, this is baseball royalty. And now? He’s throwing his name and influence behind Orlando’s push for an MLB team.
Larkin didn’t make this decision lightly, either. In a press release, he made it clear that he did his homework, making numerous calls to MLB executives—including Commissioner Rob Manfred—to gauge the seriousness of Orlando’s chances.
And in his words, Orlando is the most compelling market in the country for MLB expansion. That’s a strong endorsement, folks.
Expansion on Hold Until MLB Solves Its Stadium Problems
Let’s zoom out for a second and talk about MLB’s expansion plans. Manfred has been vocal about bringing the league from 30 to 32 teams before retiring in early 2029.
But there’s a catch: MLB isn’t seriously considering expansion until two of its biggest headaches—the Oakland A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays—figure out their stadium situations.
The A’s seem to be relocating to Las Vegas by 2028. The Rays, on the other hand? That’s where things get messy.
They had a stadium deal in place for St. Petersburg, but then a major hurricane hit last fall, throwing everything into disarray.
On top of that, a shift in local government after the elections has made it tough to get the necessary bonds approved.
Long story short? The Rays say the delays have made their original 2028 timeline impossible, and now they want more public money to cover rising costs. The county, however, isn’t interested in writing a blank check.
If a resolution isn’t reached by March 31, the whole bond agreement could collapse, leaving the Rays in a tough spot.
Could Orlando Be a Future Home for the Rays?
And here’s where things get really interesting—Larkin and the Orlando Dreamers aren’t just pushing for an expansion team.
They’re also keeping an eye on relocation possibilities. Frustrated with their ongoing stadium saga, could the Rays become an option for Orlando?
Larkin stopped short of making a direct pitch for the Rays, but the implication was crystal clear: if Tampa Bay can’t figure things out, Orlando is ready and waiting.
For his part, Manfred has been careful with his words, stating in November that MLB is still “focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay.”
But let’s be real—relocation might become a more serious conversation if the Rays’ situation continues to spiral.
So where does that leave us? Well, the clock is ticking. The A’s seem locked into Vegas. The Rays’ situation is in limbo. And Orlando? They’re making moves, with Barry Larkin leading the charge.
Whether it’s an expansion team in the 2030s or a relocated franchise sooner than that, the Dreamers are positioning themselves as a very real contender in MLB’s next chapter.
