"Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city has witnessed what that big-money game looks like firsthand, losing its longtime Single-A team. Modesto Nuts Wrap Up Last Season In The Central Valley"
"At the same time, Diamond Baseball Holdings, a private equity firm, jumped into the minor league ownership game. They partnered with Major League Baseball to advise them on a new strategy for the minor leagues. That led to the purchase of several minor league clubs. Now, Diamond Baseball owns more than 40 minor league teams, including several in California. In late 2024, Diamond Baseball Holdings announced the purchase of the Modesto Nuts, the Seattle Mariners Single-A affiliate. The team will be moving to San Bernardino."
Minor league baseball in California has a century-long presence but is undergoing transformation as Major League Baseball reorganized the minors in 2021, cutting affiliations with numerous teams to modernize facilities, reduce travel, and limit players without realistic major-league prospects. Private equity firm Diamond Baseball Holdings partnered with MLB strategy efforts and acquired many clubs, now owning over 40 teams. In late 2024 Diamond purchased the Modesto Nuts, the Seattle Mariners Single-A affiliate, and announced a relocation to San Bernardino. Modesto, home to baseball since the 1940s, lost its longtime Single-A team, leaving season ticket holders distraught.
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