What’s an A’s fan to do now?
The franchise has, at least temporarily, set up shop in Sacramento after saying all of its goodbyes to Oakland and the Bay Area last summer. A permanent relocation to Las Vegas is at least three years away.
Of course, some fans will continue to support the Green and Gold no matter where they call home. Raiders fans followed their team to Las Vegas, too.
But other A’s fans severed ties because of the heartbreaking move or vowed to stay away as long as John Fisher owns the team.
One option for the free-agent fan class of 2025 is to adopt another team.
Does a perfect replacement exist? Time will tell. The A’s and their fans made 57 seasons of memories in Oakland. It was one of the most successful (four World Series titles) and colorful franchises in the modern era. So the bar is set pretty high.
Here’s a look at what the other 29 teams (listed by division) could offer former A’s fans looking to root for a new team in 2025.
Giants
World Series titles: 3 in San Francisco, the most recent in 2014 (5 in New York)
Recent former A’s on the roster: Bob Melvin (manager), Matt Chapman, Lou Trivino, Max Stassi (minors), Jake Lamb (minors)
Common ground: There’s some comfort – and easier access – in rooting for the Bay Area’s lone MLB team, although taking the colors of a longtime rival will be a non-starter for many.
2025 win projection: 80
Fan pitch: “The view of the East Bay is breathtaking from the upper deck here.”
Dodgers
World Series titles: 7 in L.A., including two of the past four (1 in Brooklyn)
Recent former A’s on the roster: Max Muncy, Blake Treinen
Common ground: The franchises met in World Series in the 1970s and ‘80s but not much in common as of late. Freewheeling L.A. spent more last season (about $240M) than the A’s have the past four seasons combined.
2025 win projection: 110
Fan pitch: “We hate the Giants, too!”
Padres
World Series titles: None
Recent former A’s on the roster: Tyler Wade (minors), J.B. Wendelken (minors)
Common ground: At the time of his death, late Padres owner Peter Seidler was against the A’s leaving Oakland and reportedly was gaining the support of several other owners.
2025 win projection: 90
Fan pitch: “So you like colorful uniforms?”
Diamondbacks
World Series titles: 1, in 2001
Recent former A’s on the roster: A.J. Puk, Kendall Graveman, Aramis Garcia (minors), Cristian Pache (minors)
Common ground: No shortage of exciting young talent, and these teams tend to be ones the “experts” underestimate.
2025 win projection: 84
Fan pitch: “Come for spring training, stick around for the pool.”
Rockies
World Series titles: None
Recent former A’s on the roster: Scott Alexander, Nick Martini, Jack O‘Loughlin (minors), Jeff Criswell (minors)
Common ground: The Rockies would not exist if potential sales and relocation of the A’s didn’t fall through in 1978 and ‘79.
2025 win projection: 62
Fan pitch: “Coors Field might not be a dive bar, but it’s a pretty great hang.”
Brewers
World Series titles: None
Recent former A’s on the roster: Joel Payamps, Jared Koenig, Chad Patrick
Common ground: Oakland rapper Stanley Burrell, better known as MC Hammer, earned the nickname “Lil Hammer” as a kid hanging around the A’s clubhouse because of his physical resemblance to one-time Brewer “Hammerin” Hank Aaron.
2025 win projection: 83
Fan pitch: “You’d look good in a racing sausage costume!”
Cardinals
World Series titles: 11, most recent in 2011
Recent former A’s on the roster: Sonny Gray
Common ground: We know who A’s fans were rooting for during the McGwire/Sosa home run chase in the summer of 1998.
2025 win projection: 76
Fan pitch: “We’re the best fans in baseball. Just ask us.”
Pirates
World Series titles: 5, the most recent in 1979
Recent former A’s on the roster: None
Common ground: Have been giving the A’s a run for the money to field teams with the lowest payroll possible.
2025 win projection: 77
Fan pitch: “It’s not the Bay Bridge, but the Roberto Clemente Bridge isn’t a bad substitute.”
Cubs
World Series titles: 3, most recent in 2016
Recent former A’s on the roster: Carlos Perez (minors)
Common ground: Harry Caray spent the 1970 season calling games for the A’s, before he became a Cubs broadcasting legend.
2025 win projection: 87
Fan pitch: “Just like BART, the ‘L’ will drop you a short walk from the stadium.”
Reds
World Series titles: 5, most recent in 1990
Recent former A’s on the roster: Terry Francona (manager), Sam Moll, Emilio Pagan
Common ground: Both teams had, at one time, a live animal serve as the unofficial mascot – Charlie O., the A’s mule, and Schottzie, the Reds’ Saint Bernard.
2025 win projection: 84
Fan pitch: “We can relate to embarrassing owners: Does Marge Schott ring a bell?”
Mets
World Series titles: 2, most recent in 1986
Recent former A’s on the roster: Paul Blackburn, Starling Marte, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas
Common ground: First met in the 1973 World Series.
2025 win projection: 92
Fan pitch: “We heard you wanted to root for a team that spends, right?”
Nationals
World Series titles: 1 in 2019
Recent former A’s on the roster: None
Common ground: The Nationals were born when the Expos moved to D.C. from Montreal in 2005 – the last MLB team relocated before the A’s.
2025 win projection: 69
Fan pitch: “Don’t recognize any of the players’ names? Don’t worry; they won’t be here long.”
Phillies
World Series titles: 2, most recent in 2008
Recent former A’s on the roster: Jesus Luzardo, Cal Stevenson (minors)
Common ground: Philadelphia is where the Athletics franchise was born in 1901 and remained through 1954.
2025 win projection: 92
Fan pitch: “Yo, it’s about time you came back!”
Braves
World Series titles: 2 in Atlanta, most recent in 2021 (1 in Milwaukee, 1 in Boston)
Recent former A’s on the roster: Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, Nick Allen, Jurickson Profar, Grant Holes,. Jordan Weems (minors), Royber Salinas (minors)
Common ground: Just look at how many former A’s are on the roster. Their bench coach, Walt Weiss, was the A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1988 and won a World Series with Oakland the following year.
2025 win projection: 94
Fan pitch: “What do you mean you couldn’t get a new stadium built in 30 years? We’ve built two since 1997.”
Marlins
World Series titles: 2, most recent in 2003
Recent former A’s on the roster: Jonah Bride
Common ground: Low payroll. Dismal attendance. Steady roster churn.
2025 win projection: 64
Fan pitch: “At least we have a new stadium.”
Rangers
World Series titles: 1 in 2023
Recent former A’s on the roster: Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim, Cody Thomas (minors)
Common ground: Another product of relocation: Franchise was known as the Washington Senators and played in D.C. from 1961-71.
2025 win projection: 86
Fan pitch: “Everyone else seems to be moving to Texas.”
Angels
World Series titles: 1 in 2002
Recent former A’s on the roster: Ron Washington (manager), Ryan Noda (minors)
Common ground: The A’s played more games against the Angels than any other franchise during their Oakland history.
2025 win projection: 72
Fan pitch: “We can talk with our friends at Disneyland to see about getting Stomper a new gig.”
Astros
World Series titles: 2, most recent in 2022
Recent former A’s on the roster: Tayler Scott
Common ground: The A’s biggest AL West rival over the past decade. Since 2017, they are the only two teams to win the division.
2025 win projection: 88
Fan pitch: “You with us? One (trash can) bang for ‘Yes’ and two bangs for ‘No.’”
Mariners
World Series titles: None
Recent former A’s on the roster: Shintaro Fujinami, Beau Taylor (minors), Trevor Gott (minors)
Common ground: Different sport, but Seattle are fans still reeling from the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City in 2009.
2025 win projection: 84
Fan pitch: “It’s a short flight, and we’ll leave the roof open for you.”
Royals
World Series titles: 2, most recent 2015
Recent former A’s on the roster: Mark Canha, Lucas Erceg, Sam Long
Common ground: Home to the A’s franchise from 1955 until it moved to Oakland in 1968.
2025 win projection: 83
Fan pitch: “We know EXACTLY what you are going through … though we got an expansion team out of it.”
Tigers
World Series titles: 4, most recent in 1984
Recent former A’s on the roster: None
Common ground: The teams met in the playoffs three times in eight seasons from 2006-13, and Oakland’s first playoff series victory came against Detroit in 1972.
2025 win projection: 85
Fan pitch: “Detroit is the Oakland of the Midwest.”
Guardians
World Series titles: 2, most recent 1948
Recent former A’s on the roster: Stephen Vogt (manager)
Common ground: Recent roster constructions have been very similar – not many familiar names and a steady roster turnover – and both teams are managed by popular former A’s players.
2025 win projection: 84
Fan pitch: “We believe in Stephen Vogt, too!”
Twins
World Series titles: 2 in Minnesota, most recent 1991 (1 in Washington)
Recent former A’s on the roster: Danny Coulombe, Armando Alvarez (minors)
Common ground: Along with the A’s, the Twins were nearly contracted by MLB in the early 2000s.
2025 win projection: 83
Fan pitch: “You still sore about us ending ‘The Streak’ and your ‘Moneyball’ season in 2002? That was a long time ago.”
White Sox
World Series titles: 3, most recent 2005
Recent former A’s on the roster: Tristan Gray
Common ground: The “other” poorly run team in a major population market.
2025 win projection: 55
Fan pitch: “Let us know what you decide. We might be looking for a new team, too.”
Yankees
World Series titles: 27, most recent 2009
Recent former A’s on the roster: None
Common ground: Future home to some of Oakland’s all-time greats: Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Jason Giambi and Jose Canseco, not to mention the Billy Martin connection.
2025 win projection: 94
Fan pitch: “Buy one hat, and you are set for life.”
Blue Jays
World Series titles: 2, most recent 1993
Recent former A’s on the roster: Chris Bassitt, Ernie Clement, Christian Bethancourt (minors)
Common ground: The teams have made more trades with each other, 28 according to Baseball-Reference, than any other partners since 1998.
2025 win projection: 76
Fan pitch: “Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart won a World Series with us, too!”
Red Sox
World Series titles: 9, most recent 2018
Recent former A’s on the roster: Liam Hendriks, Sean Newcomb, Abraham Toro (minors), Trayce Thompson (minors), Austin Adams (minors)
Common ground: Red Sox nation has deep ties across the country, including the Bay Area.
2025 win projection: 84
Fan pitch: “Let us reverse YOUR curse!”
Rays
World Series titles: None
Recent former A’s on the roster: Joe Boyle (minors), Garrett Acton
Common ground: The A’s of the East Coast in terms of regularly turning low-payroll rosters into playoff contenders.
2025 win projection: 82
Fan pitch: “We didn’t have any choice but to play in a minor league stadium this season.”
Orioles
World Series titles: 3, most recent 1983
Recent former A’s on the roster: Ramon Laureano, Jorge Mateo, Daz Cameron (minors), Vimael Machin (minors)
Common ground: Either the O’s or the A’s represented the American League in the World Series every season from 1969-1974.
2025 win projection: 87
Fan pitch: “We just confirmed a 30-year extension on our stadium lease. So we aren’t going anywhere.”
Dieter Kurtenbach contributed to this story.