Montreal a 'frontrunner' for expansion, MLB commissioner says

The head of Major League Baseball says Montreal is among his preferredlocations for an international expansion of the league.

• Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre 'delighted' over baseball expansion plans

Speaking to U.S.broadcasterCSN Chicagoon Thursday,MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that Montreal is on his shortlist of cities that could support a major league team.

"My personalfront-runnerwould be either Montreal or Mexico City, where we could go plan a sustained basis,"Manfred said.

"I think it would be great for thegrowth 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 franchisesTampa and Oaklandthat need to get their stadium situations resolved before we move ahead," Manfred said.

The commissioner's comments may bethe strongest endorsementyetof Montreal's chances of securing big-league baseball's return. The city has been without an MLB team since the Exposmoved to Washington after the 2004 season.

Mayor Denis Coderre has made thereturn of the Exposa priority of his administration. He has lobbied the league persistently to consider Montreal the next time it expands.

• Montreal's Denis Coderre to confer with MLB commissioner

The city's case for expansion has been supported by the sold-out exhibition games it has hosted the past three years.