The Diamondbacks and Padres are in discussions with MLB about playing a regular season series in Mexico City next year, report Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The league has yet to make that event official.
MLB and the Players Association agreed to the establishment of the “World Tour” series to promote international play in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement. The CBA provides for a possible Mexico City event in May 2026. It also includes the possibility for a London series in June and one in San Juan in September, but MLB has not proceeded with every World Tour series contemplated in the bargaining agreement. The CBA permitted 2025 events in Mexico City, Paris and San Juan — none of which will happen for economic reasons.
Arizona and San Diego were scheduled for a two-game series in Mexico City on April 18-19, 2020. Those games were canceled for obvious reasons. MLB played its first regular season games in the city three years later. The Padres and Giants met for two games on April 29-30, 2023. The Rockies and Astros played there on April 27-28 last season.
There will not be any regular season contests in Mexico this year, though the Red Sox played a pair of Spring Training games against a Mexican League team in Monterrey. The only regular season action outside the U.S. and Canada this season was the season-opening Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs.
Pitching staffs punching air right now.
Anyone know what the “economic reasons” are that prevent the league from going to Paris, San Juan or Mexico City this season? Sounds like an excuse but not surprised
Possibly one or both teams lose a home series of revenue
MLB could not find a promoter and had problems in making it financially viable. That is obviously a total shock because nobody knew that the only sticks that the French carry around are their baguettes.
Should just be the two World Series teams that open the season each year. Showcase the biggest stars in the game. This matchup is weak compared to the Dodgers-Cubs in Japan. Family in Japan were going crazy over Imanaga vs Ohtani and Yamamoto vs Suzuki.
The logistics of something like this would be a lot more difficult if you don’t know the teams involved until late October.
It’s already a bizarre logistical problem to have two teams play two games mid spring training that count. If your going to do the publicity stunt go all out is what I say.
Biggest stars in the game are not necessarily on the WS teams. Trout and Ohtani were both on the Angels. There is a reason that they plan these games so far in advance,. The logistics of waiting until november every year would make for a nightmare.
The Padres and Diamondbacks both play their home games within an easy drive from [other parts of] Mexico. That’s obviously why those two would be the teams playing in Mexico — they both want to be considered Mexico’s team and gain some fans.
The Mexico City Mexican League team is owned by Alfredo Harp Helu, one of the minority owners of the Padres.
What you described is not about a club matchup, but individual players on those teams.
Reminds me of the listing in the Paris version of Craigslist: French WW II rifle in great shape. Never fired, dropped once.
If Bauer can pitch to a 2.48 ERA in Mexico City, winning the Pitcher of the Year Award and almost winning the Triple Crown Award, then the MLB pitchers need to figure out how to pitch at that altitude.
This is the smartest thing you’ve said on this app
@choof
I don’t use the app. For some reason, despite having a 2024 phone, the app doesn’t work for me.
Same. It logs me out of the app every day I choose to use the website instead. Much better, imo
MLB plays over 2,420 regular season games in America (or Toronto) each year. They can play a handful of games elsewhere. You’ll live.
Yeah, that’s exactly what team owners want…less home game revenue.
The Dodgers sold a boatload of merch during the Japan series. Every team in the league got a piece of that sales revenue. Playing in foreign countries drive interest and the potential to sell lucrative foreign broadcasting rights. It’s a long-term MLB play.
I agree, was just responding to the first commenter blowing things out of proportion thinking MLB will leave the US.
“The CBA permitted 2025 events in Mexico City, Paris and San Juan — none of which will happen for economic reasons.”
Guess Los Dodgers aren’t ready for their world tour yet
I like this match up
Whose playing there this year?
As the article explains, no one.
Reading
Is
Fundamental
Just rename it America series October.
That would be a very fun matchup to go to Mexico city to watch.
Maybe the Rays or A’s can find a home stadium there?
Any of the cities in Mexico would welcome them, and the country loves baseball as I have come to learn from visiting a few cities now.
The A’s are moving to Las Vegas in 3 years,so why mention them?
Because do you really think the A’s are going to end up there?
With baseball dying in flyover country, it’s entirely possible.
Maybe play a series in Montreal with the Nats and Jays? Just thinking out loud.