\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Orlando Dreamers group, which has spent years pushing for MLB expansion or relocation to the region, is using the high-profile gathering to continue its pitch.The meetings, which conclude Thursday, bring together team executives, owners and league officials from across baseball.The group shared on social media that its representatives were on site this week, including Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, who serves as a partner and ambassador for the Dreamers.\u201cSince they were in our backyard, we thought it would be a good idea to get our information out there,\u201d Larkin told WESH 2 News.Larkin said he spent the past several days meeting with team owners, fans and MLB executives, stressing that Orlando is prepared should the league decide to expand or relocate a franchise. He added that many around baseball are noting how seriously Orlando is positioning itself.\u201cI wasn\u2019t really surprised by how many people didn\u2019t realize Orlando was a true player in all of this,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be interesting now to see what cities are a potential for expansion or relocation.\u201dLarkin said the group\u2019s financing model could also set Orlando apart.\u201cAnother thing about this that\u2019s very unique is that there\u2019s financing in place, where an ownership group will not be encumbered with providing financing for a stadium,\u201d he said.Earlier this year, the Dreamers attempted to pursue ownership of the Tampa Bay Rays before the franchise was sold to a Jacksonville-based group. Larkin said the Dreamers have continued to make progress behind the scenes as they wait for the right opportunity.\u201cThere\u2019s only so many things that we can control,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd what we can control, I think we\u2019ve done a pretty good job of pushing that forward.\u201dDreamers co-founder Kim Schnorf said conversations at the winter meetings reinforced the group\u2019s belief that it\u2019s now a matter of when \u2014 not if \u2014 the league is ready to move forward with expansion.For now, the group says it will continue its push as MLB weighs its next steps.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n