Dusty Baker believes Sacramento has ‘an excellent chance’ of landing MLB expansion team

The push for MLB expansion in Sacramento continues to gain momentum, and few voices carry more weight than Sacramento native and legendary manager Dusty Baker.

City leaders and business partners recently unveiled an ambitious proposal to bring Major League Baseball to the region, centered around a new ballpark and entertainment district in West Sacramento near Sutter Health Park.

The effort, led by the newly formed ‘Sacramento Pitch’ organization, includes support from local leaders, tribal partners, business executives, and former players, including Baker and former All-Star Derrek Lee.

Appearing on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, Baker expressed optimism about Sacramento’s chances of securing a franchise.

“I’m just hoping that we’ve pulled this together,” Baker said. “I see us as having an excellent chance of getting a team here.”

(The Sacramento Pitch)

More on Sacramento’s MLB expansion bid

The proposed stadium would sit on a 50-acre mixed-use site in the River District south of Sutter Health Park. Reports indicate the overall investment could approach $4 billion, with funding coming from private investment, land equity, and public financing sources.

The United Auburn Indian Community and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians are expected to contribute a combined $500 million toward the project.

For Baker, the region’s baseball history and community support make Sacramento an attractive market.

“This is a baseball city. It always has been, since I can remember,” Baker said. “We have a lot of great baseball players who come from here. We have a lot of people in this area, up and down the valley.”

Baker also pointed to another important factor that could strengthen Sacramento’s MLB expansion bid.

“We have quite a bit of money here, which is going to take to get a major league team here,” Baker said.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 31: A general view of the Athletics playing against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sutter Health Park on March 31, 2025 in Sacramento, California. This is the first game the Athletics played at Sutter Health Park. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The former World Series-winning manager believes that if Sacramento successfully lands a franchise, the organization could quickly become competitive.

“Once we get a major league team here, I think we’re going to have our pick on the quality of the people that we need to make this a winner, hopefully in a very short period of time,” Baker said.

Baker and Lee recently participated in the Sacramento Pitch launch event, lending their names and credibility to a growing coalition determined to bring Major League Baseball to California’s capital region.

As the MLB expansion bid continues to take shape, Baker’s confidence reflects the excitement surrounding what many hope will become the next chapter in Sacramento sports history.

Baker’s new book, Crossroads: A Memoir in Baseball and Life, is available for purchase now.

More MLB content from Sactown Sports

• Mayor McCarty says Sacramento ‘has a great chance’ of winning MLB expansion bid

• World Series in Sac? It could happen in 2026
• Is Sacramento ready for MLB expansion? Former A’s owner weighs in
• Derrek Lee is confident Sacramento can support an MLB Expansion team

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

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