The seemingly inevitable expansion of Major League Baseball will likely have little impact on the Cincinnati Reds. Perhaps there would be more games with the in-state rival Cleveland Guardians, but otherwise, the nearly 150-year-old franchise shouldn’t see many changes. Former Reds star Barry Larkin, though, seems deeply invested in MLB’s next act.
Larkin Backs Orlando Bid for MLB Team
Orlando is the largest media market in the US without a Major League Baseball team, and Larkin is actively working to change that.
Larkin, a Hall of Famer, has cast his lot with the group seeking to bring a franchise to Orlando. He now lives in central Florida and has been an outspoken advocate for the push for baseball in Orlando. The proposed team, known as The Dreamers, is the brainchild of Jim Schnorf and the late Pat Williams, who brought the NBA’s Magic to Orlando in 1989.
- Orlando is the largest media market in the U.S. without an MLB franchise.
- Barry Larkin is a key figure in the effort to bring a team to Orlando.
- The Rays’ stadium situation could pave the way for a move to Orlando.
- Nashville is another potential expansion city that could impact the Reds.
The franchise seems closer to fruition now than ever as the Rays’ stadium deal remains up in the air. A tentative agreement exists with Hillsborough Community College to build a new stadium on campus by 2029, but the future remains uncertain. If that deal falls through, a move to Orlando could be in the cards for the Rays.
Orlando’s path to the majors may be smoother since Hurricane Milton ravaged Tropicana Field in 2024. Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to add two brand new teams to the league by 2029, and a move of an existing franchise would improve the chances of Orlando hosting a team.
The Dreamers have spent the past seven years building a foundation for a big-league squad, and Larkin has been actively involved for the past year. Johnny Damon has also signed on as a strategic advisor.
The other possible expansion location that could affect the Reds is Nashville. The Music City is only about four hours away from Cincinnati (not including the time change), closer than any team currently in the NL Central. If Manfred opts to align clubs along geographic lines, the Reds could be traveling south much more frequently in the next few years.
