MLB writer gives updates on Oakland Athletics relocation to Sacramento

Jul 18, 2024, 6:29 AM

The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento from 2025-27....

(Sacramento River Cats)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As we wait for the 2025 MLB regular season schedule to drop, all eyes will quickly dart to the Oakland Athletics’ slate of games once it’s released.

Oakland will relocate to Sacramento for the 2025-27 seasons—although their stay could be extended if the A’s planned Las Vegas stadium is not completed by 2028—and there are a slew of concerns surrounding the move, including the playing surface, sharing Sutter Health Park with the Sacramento River Cats, MLB-level accommodations for players, and more, needing to be addressed before next April.

The Los Angeles Times‘ Bill Shaikin joined The Drive Guys this week to share the latest intel on the Athletics relocation process, dive into his latest piece that featured opinions of the move from MLB players, and much more.

Plus: Bill gives his take on the most likely final landing spot for the A’s: Oakland, Las Vegas or Sacramento.

Topics Discussed

Are current MLB players open to the idea of playing in Las Vegas?
How long did it take for the Raiders to get acclimated in the Las Vegas area after relocating from Oakland?
If the A’s deal with Las Vegas falls through, is Sacramento a feasible long-term option for the ballclub?
Bill says that a stadium with a dome would be needed if the Athletics remain in Sacramento
How confident is the MLB that Oakland’s relocation to Sacramento will be a success?
MLB is working with specialists on turf that can be installed at Sutter Health Park
Upgrades are beginning to be installed at Sutter Health Park to make sure it is MLB-ready in 2025
How much say does the MLB Players Association have in this matter?
Bill says the MLBPA has no say in where the Athletics play: “They’re going to be in Sacramento next year.”
Where does Bill see the A’s long-term: Oakland, Las Vegas, or Sacramento?

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More on the Oakland Athletics relocation to Sacramento

The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sacramento beginning next season, but hurdles remain in ensuring their home ballpark meets MLB standards by Opening Day 2025.

According to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Sutter Health Park will receive major-league upgrades–including an entirely new playing surface–before next season begins.

The West Sacramento ballpark is home of the San Francisco Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and both the Athletics and River Cats will share the diamond for at least the next three seasons as the city of Las Vegas begins construction on a stadium.

The target date for completing the Las Vegas ballpark is 2028, but many around the league are skeptical that will come to fruition. This means that MLB and Sacramento will need to upgrade Sutter Health Park for the long haul in case the A’s remain in Northern California past the 2027 season.

“They are actually constructing a separate building adjacent to the stadium that will be the home clubhouse,” Manfred said in late May at the conclusion of MLB’s spring owner meetings, per The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich.

“They’re renovating the visiting clubhouse. There’s going to be new artificial turf installed. They are upgrading the camera capability, so they get major-league quality broadcasts out of Sacramento,” Manfred continued. “There are some revenue-associated renovations: some club seating and video boards that are being done in the stadium.

“So, there’s a lot going on there to get it up to snuff for the interim period. They’ve had great receptivity. I think they have seat deposits from, like, 13,000 people or something. They’re doing okay.”

Sutter Health Park and the River Cats are owned by Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadive said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Major League Baseball approved the Athletics’ proposal for relocation to Las Vegas in November.

Plans are in place for a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium at the site of the Tropicana Hotel with the City of Las Vegas granting $380 million in public funding for construction in 2023. However, the ballpark will not open until at least the end of the 2027 calendar year, meaning the first season it could host the A’s in the regular season would be 2028.

Sutter Health Park opened in 2000 and has 10,624 seats, but could be modified to accommodate up to 14,000.