Derrek Lee is confident Sacramento can support an MLB Expansion team

MLB expansion efforts in Sacramento continue to gain momentum, and former MLB All-Star Derrek Lee believes the region has everything necessary to support a Major League Baseball franchise.

Lee, a Sacramento native, former El Camino Fundamental High School standout, and 15-year MLB veteran, recently joined Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to discuss Sacramento’s growing push to land an expansion team.

The effort is being spearheaded by a new organization called “The Sacramento Pitch,” which unveiled plans for a new ballpark and entertainment district in the city’s River District.

For Lee, Sacramento’s viability as a Major League city is not up for debate.

“Sacramento being capable of housing a Major League Baseball team for me, that’s not a question,” Lee said. “That’s off the table. That’s a certainty. We are a Major League Baseball franchise city.”

(The Sacramento Pitch)

More on Sacramento’s MLB Expansion push

Having played in nearly every MLB market during a decorated career that included two All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, a National League batting title in 2005, and a World Series championship with the Florida Marlins in 2003, Lee believes Sacramento compares favorably to existing baseball cities.

“We have everything you need,” Lee said. “Not only for the home team and raising a family, but also as a visitor coming into town. We want a nice hotel room, we want food, we want a nice stadium, and great fans. I think when you come into Sacramento, that is the case.”

Lee also pointed to the region’s passionate sports culture as a major selling point.

“Sacramento’s sports base is up there with the best of them,” Lee said. “We’ve seen evidence of that with the Kings. I just think at its core, Sacramento is a baseball city. We love baseball. I think we would support a baseball team, no question.”

The proposed expansion bid still faces significant hurdles, most notably securing a controlling ownership group capable of meeting MLB’s financial requirements.

Sacramento is also expected to compete against markets such as Portland, Salt Lake City, and Vancouver when MLB eventually selects expansion cities.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21: A general view of Sutter Health Park as the Athletics take on the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning on May 21, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

Still, Lee remains optimistic about Sacramento’s chances.

“I wouldn’t try to lead anyone on,” Lee said. “It’s cautious optimism. The first thing I did was make some calls of my own to make sure this was real and a possibility. It’s real.”

While the road to MLB expansion remains long, Sacramento’s supporters believe the region’s growth, baseball history, and passionate fan base make it one of the strongest candidates in the West, and Lee’s stamp of approval only adds to that notion.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

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

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

• Tuesday, June 2nd – Thursday, June 4th – @ Chicago Cubs
• Friday, June 5th – Sunday, June 7th – @ Houston Astros
• Monday, June 8th – Wednesday, June 10th – vs. Milwaukee Brewers (in Las Vegas)
• Friday, June 12th – Sunday, June 14th – vs. Colorado Rockies (in Las Vegas)
• Monday, June 15th – Wednesday, June 17th – vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

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