The A’s still remain the same franchise despite their impending move to Sacramento, but to general manager David Forst, team’s departure from Oakland serves as the beginning of a new chapter.
“I’m proud of what we did in my time here and of what the A’s have done in terms of providing a lot of really great memories for people, a lot of great teams. I think it’s fair to think about that chapter ending and moving onto something else.”
The collective pain of the A’s departure from Oakland still lingers for Forst and company, but their attention now turns towards the green and gold graduating from upstarts to contenders. Fresh off winning 69 games and going exactly .500 in the season’s second half, a playoff appearance in Sacramento isn’t completely far-fetched.
Here’s what stuck out during Forst and manager Mark Kotsay’s end-of-season availability:
Forst expects payroll to increase
Between Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, the A’s have an enviable foundation upon which they can build. Complementing that foundation and filling out the team’s weak spots via free agency, though, stands to be a challenge for Forst and company.
The A’s, as is, regularly have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball and ranked dead last this season, per Spotrac. Now, they will have to convince major-league players to sign major-league contracts to play in a minor-league ballpark. Still, Forst expects the team to be active in free agency and for the team’s payroll to increase.
“It’ll take some time to figure out what the interest is in playing here and coming to this situation,” Forst said. “I do have an outstanding manager to play for, and we have a really good team, an improving team on the field that I would hope players want to be a part of. We’re going to have to sell the situation and the ballpark as much as we can.”
Some of that payroll increase could come from the arbitration process. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Rooker, entering his first year of arbitration, is projected to make $5.1 million. Seth Brown is projected to make $3.8 million, but he stands out as a non-tender candidate given his age (32) and him finishing this season with negative WAR.
Rooker undergoes forearm surgery
The most newsworthy item of the day was Forst’s revelation that Brent Rooker underwent surgery on Tuesday to “clean up” a right forearm extensor injury.
Forst added that the team expects Rooker to be 100 percent for spring training. Manager Mark Kotsay added that Rooker, who only played 14 games in right field, could return to the outfield next season.
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Despite not being fully healthy all season, Rooker posted career-highs in homers (39), RBIs (112) and batting average (.293), among many other metrics.
Navigating the artificial turf
Forst said that artificial turf has yet to be laid down at Sutter Health Park, but clarified that the team still expects to utilize artificial turf. Construction has begun, though, on the clubhouse and dugouts.
The use of artificial turf opposed to natural grass will naturally result in hotter on-field temperatures, especially during the summer. The A’s have looked at the schedule and tried to limit the number of days games they have in June, July and August within the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Kotsay said he hasn’t heard concerns from his players, adding that he’s already talked to his staff about navigating the challenges of playing in the Sacramento heat.
Forst said the team has talked to MLB about getting a pass to play on Sunday night (teams typically play day games on Sundays so the visiting team can fly to its next destination). Forst added that Major League Baseball was open to games on Sunday night on certain dates where it might make sense.
The A’s will still have to host day games during the season, but Kotsay wasn’t worried about his team’s ability to navigate the heat.
“There’s heat everywhere,” Kotsay said. “If you’re talking about four games that might be on the schedule after May 15, I think we can deal with four day games.”
Owens as a Giants GM candidate?
Buster Posey, the Giants’ new president of baseball operations, announced during his introductory press conference that the team will be looking for a new general manager after transitioning Pete Putila into another role. One possible candidate is A’s assistant general manager Billy Owens, who has been with the green and gold for more than 25 years.
Forst said the A’s have not received a call from the Giants about Owens, but said he thinks “the world of Billy Owens and what he brings to this organization,” adding that “there are a lot of things that Billy is capable of.”
Additional notes
Forst confirmed on Friday that Kotsay remains signed through next season, saying that he and Kotsay will discuss Kotsay’s future along with ownership in the offseason. Additionally, Forst expects everybody on the coaching staff to return.
Tyler Soderstrom caught just one game this season, but Forst said the A’s aren’t letting Soderstrom abandon the position just yet. The A’s already have a solid catching duo in Shea Langeliers and Kyle McCann, but Forst pointed out Soderstrom maintaining his ability to catch would give the A’s more roster and lineup versatility.
Nick Kurtz, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, will report to the Arizona Fall League. Kurtz went 14-for-38 (.368) with four homers across two levels before hitting the injured list in late-August, playing just 12 games total.