Mar 31, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; A general view of Sutter Health Park before the game between the Chicago Cubs against the Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Sacramento wants an MLB expansion team. Will they get it?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Sacramento A’s will play in Sacramento for one more year, 2027, until they can complete their new ballpark in Las Vegas, which is scheduled to open in 2028. However, there is a good chance that in 2027, the team owners will lock out the players in a salary dispute over the salary cap and other issues they want to resolve.

Whatever happens, the City of Sacramento is not guaranteed a new franchise; other cities (before Sacramento) have thrown their hats in the ring seeking an expansion team. Here they are: Nashville and Salt Lake City, considered front-runners, and then Montreal, Charlotte, Portland, and Vancouver, with expansion expected to bring the league to 32 teams by 2030. In other words, Sacramento is not alone; there are four (4)cities planning to have one of their two expansion teams.

Sacramento-area leaders are expected to announce a formal bid for a Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion team on May 28, 2026, with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council leading the effort, including a partnership between Sacramento and West Sacramento, as they aim to land a franchise by 2031-2033. Sacramento is leveling its role in hosting the Athletics to prove market viability for building a park near Sutter Health

Why I do not think it will happen. Sacramento is currently leveraging its role as the A’s ‘temporary host. So far this season, the A’s at Sacramento are averaging 10,490 fans per home game (stadium capacity is 13,800) at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

For a small minor league baseball park, 10,490 attendance per game is not that bad. The main reason I believe Sacramento is a very long shot to land an expansion team is the competition it will face from the other cities mentioned above, including one that was a Major League City, Montreal, Canada.

The Montreal Expos played for 36 years (1969-2004). The Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area has a population of around 3.4 million, the second-largest city in Canada, and the largest French-speaking city in the Americas. They would have to beat Montreal, Salt Lake City, Portland, Charlotte, Nashville, and Vancouver, and that is not an easy task.

Quote: “I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign,” Manfred said. “I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. And I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN, because you’d be playing out of the east and out of the west.” -Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.