What happened: Major League Baseball is expected to formally open the bidding process for expansion franchises following the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement. ESPN evaluated the landscape of potential markets as the league moves toward adding two clubs.

Why it matters: With stadium situations resolved for the Athletics and Rays, the primary obstacles to expansion have been removed. Commissioner Rob Manfred has prioritized completing the process before his scheduled retirement in January 2029.

What to watch: The current labor agreement expires in December 2026, which serves as the timeline for establishing an expansion committee.