Baseball returning to Montreal?

In an announcement made earlier today by Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, a new stadium must be in place for any chance in bringing the sport back to Montreal.

The key is for an adequate facility in Montreal that could support baseball over the long haul. The Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds are scheduled to play a two-game exhibition series on April 3-4, just days before the start of the regular season following the successful exhibition games at Olympic Stadium in 2014 between the Blue Jays and New York Mets.>

For baseball to return, but succeed in Montreal, commitment and dedication must be put in place in hopes to lure an existing franchise back to the city that failed to draw over 1 million fans in its final seven seasons prior to relocating to Washington D.C. as the Nationals.

The Expos joined the National League in 1969 as MLB's first franchise based outside of the U.S. Acquiring stars like Gary Carter, Pedro Martinez and Vladimir Guerrero, the franchise struggled when the Canadian dollar lost value and efforts to leave Olympic Stadium for a modern facility failed.

Dealing with their own struggles to build a new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays have recently been linked to the Montreal market, even though team owner Stuart Sternberg has stated that he insists on making baseball in Tampa Bay work. The Rays, locked into a deal with Tropicana Field until 2027 would have to pay the city if they leave their current home.

Time will tell, whether in the present or future on the state of baseball in both Montreal and Tampa Bay.