According to Ronald Blum, MLB is working to finalize plans for a two-game series between the Yankees and Red Sox in London in June 2019. Joel Sherman hears the Red Sox would likely be the home team for the two games, which means the Yankees won’t lose two home gates.
“We would love to participate in a series in London against the Yankees but this is a decision that MLB and the MLBPA will make,” said Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy to Evan Drellich.
Assuming plans are finalized, the series will be played at Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 2012 Olympics and is currently used for soccer and track and field events. June is the only time the building is available for baseball. An official announcement is expected some time within the next two months.
Any time MLB holds an event like this, it’s a good bet the Yankees will be involved because they are the most popular team in the sport. The Yankees will help pump up attendance and generate buzz. Also, players will get a $60,000 bonus for participating in the series per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
MLB has been working to globalize the game in recent years — they didn’t start the World Baseball Classic out of boredom, you know — and this April the Twins and Indians will play a series in Puerto Rico. MLB tentatively plans to have two teams play their season opener in Tokyo next season.