The A’s dismissed GM David Forst in early August, ending a 24‑year stint. Assistant GM Dan Feinstein stepped in as interim for the remainder of the season.
Since Forst’s exit, Oakland has linked up with several front‑office names. Ex‑Astros GM James Click was mentioned, Nationals’ POBO Mike Rizzo interviewed, and Red Sox assistants Mike Groopman and Taylor Smith also sat down. The only internal name surfacing is assistant GM Billy Owens.
Sam Fuld’s résumé ties him to Oakland. After an eight‑year playing career that concluded there, he joined the Phillies as player information coordinator in 2017, rose to GM for the 2021 season, and served under POBO Dave Dombrowski through 2024. He left to earn an MBA at Wharton, then returned this year in a business‑operations capacity.
Dombrowski’s contract runs through 2027, and he’s likely to stay beyond that. Securing the A’s top spot would give Fuld his first chance as the primary decision‑maker. For my money, that could be his breakout role.
Mooney and Rosenthal note that Jared Banner was instrumental in landing outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong for Chicago. He pushed the deal after overseeing PCA’s development while with the Mets. The Cubs traded shortstop Javier Báez and right‑hander Trevor Williams to acquire Crow‑Armstrong at the 2021 deadline.
Oakland has missed the postseason six straight years and finished fourth or lower in the AL West for five consecutive seasons. The lineup features power hitters like Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom, yet the rotation and bullpen have lagged, especially since moving to hitter‑friendly Sutter Health Park. With one more season in Sacramento before a Las Vegas move, the pressure mounts. Will the A’s finally break their playoff drought?