\u201cI\u2019m just hoping that we\u2019ve pulled this together,\u201d Baker said. \u201cI see us as having an excellent chance of getting a team here.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Sacramento](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780008015_618_HJa1S2zbkAElPQF-300x199.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
(The Sacramento Pitch)<\/p>\n
More on Sacramento\u2019s MLB expansion bid<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The United Auburn Indian Community and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians are expected to contribute a combined $500 million toward the project.<\/p>\n
For Baker, the region\u2019s baseball history and community support make Sacramento an attractive market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a baseball city. It always has been, since I can remember,\u201d Baker said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baker also pointed to another important factor that could strengthen Sacramento\u2019s MLB expansion bid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have quite a bit of money here, which is going to take to get a major league team here,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781626817_824_GettyImages-2207886180-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 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)<\/p>\n
The former World Series-winning manager believes that if Sacramento successfully lands a franchise, the organization could quickly become competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we get a major league team here, I think we\u2019re 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,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s capital region.<\/p>\n
As the MLB expansion bid continues to take shape, Baker\u2019s confidence reflects the excitement surrounding what many hope will become the next chapter in Sacramento sports history.<\/p>\n
Baker\u2019s new book, Crossroads: A Memoir in Baseball and Life, is available for purchase now.<\/a><\/p>\n More MLB content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule<\/p>\n Monday, June 15th \u2013 Wednesday, June 17th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a> channel.<\/p>\n
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