en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Oakland A's News https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/news New A's GM Taylor Smith will have these two decisions to make over the next few weeks. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:06:26 GMT Dylan Quinn https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58384593 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58384593 false false Taylor Smith knows numbers — his resume includes analytics work with the data-centric Tampa Bay Rays. But when fans look at Smith, only one number pops up first in their minds and it relates neither to launch angles nor spin rate. Smith is defined by the number 31, as he embarks on his new role […] Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:38:22 GMT Nico https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58382643 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58382643 false false Athletics upend expectations by naming 31-year-old Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations, signaling a bold new era for the franchise. Can Smith’s ... Tue, 20 Oct 2026 19:33:02 GMT Locked On A's https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58376884 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58376884 false false This streak has made for some very impressive MLB history. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:58:21 GMT Matt Sullivan https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58373301 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58373301 false false Welcome to Tuesday A’s fans. After all the waiting, it’s finally over. The A’s have their newest front office leader, tabbing Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith to lead the organization as they wrap up their brief stay in Sacramento and begin the Las Vegas era. Now that we have our guy it’s time to […] Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:09:06 GMT Connor Ashford https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58372862 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58372862 false false The club finally has its new president of baseball operations, and he will have lots of decisions to make once the offseason begins. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:43:51 GMT Dylan Quinn https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58371436 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58371436 false false The Pittsburgh Pirates could lose Brandon Lowe in free agency this offseason. They acquired the second baseman in a three-team trade from the Tampa Bay Rays last offseason. Lowe delivered on all fronts and then some. He provided plenty of pop, as expected, with 35 home runs and a 121 wRC+. However, he shocked with … Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:17:06 GMT Noah Wright https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58369755 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58369755 false false A's owner John Fisher & President of Baseball Operations Taylor Smith will conduct a press conference in Las Vegas, NV. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 20:03:06 GMT Athletics https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58377426 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58377426 false false Both announcements landed on the same day, yet both men are walking into jobs that could not be more different … or more urgent. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:58:35 GMT Kevin Henry, Mark Johns, Jeff Kloster https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58368871 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58368871 false false The Tampa Bay Rays enter Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians one win away from capturing their third AL pennant. After the teams split the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Tampa Bay, the Rays won two of three in Cleveland. A third consecutive victory would send […] Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:56:21 GMT Ben Wiley https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58368845 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58368845 false false AJ Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and Scott Braun preview ALCS Game 6 with the Rays one win away from facing the Brewers in the World Series. Three-time MLB All-Star... Mon, 19 Oct 2026 19:03:20 GMT Foul Territory https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364071 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364071 false false Athletics’ turbulent departure—who’s really to blame? The debate heats up as the franchise’s exodus to Vegas sparks questions about John Fisher’s ownership, ... Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:59:17 GMT Locked On A's https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364002 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364002 false false Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:59:11 GMT Locked On A's https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364000 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58364000 false false Over two months after the Athletics announced a leadership change in the front office, they finally have their new leader. The A’s announced on Monday that they have named Taylor Smith president of baseball operations. Welcome to the Green & Gold, Taylor! We have named Taylor Smith as our President of Baseball Operations. — Athletics (@Athletics) “The Athletics changed the way baseball thinks about building a team, and their pioneering work during the Moneyball era opened the door to my own career in the game,” Smith wrote in a statement released by the team. “It’s an honor to build on that legacy as we work to create the next great A’s team, build on our foundation for sustained success, and prepare for our new home in Las Vegas.” Smith served as senior vice president and assistant general manager with the Boston Red Sox over the last two seasons. He now will lead the A’s baseball strategy and operations as the franchise navigates its relocation to Las Vegas. At 31 years old, Smith now is the youngest head of baseball operations in MLB. Paul Toboni, 36, of the Washington Nationals previously was the youngest front office leader in baseball. The A’s previously offered the position to Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Sam Fuld, . “I couldn’t be more excited about Taylor as our President of Baseball Operations,” A’s owner John Fisher wrote in the team’s statement. “He is one of the brightest minds in the game today. We conducted a very thorough search for our new baseball leadership, and Taylor stood out for his acute understanding of the game, especially in the areas of measuring player performance and player development.” Before joining the Red Sox in 2024, Smith spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays in the team’s research and development department. Before the 2022 season, the Rays promoted Smith to director of predictive modeling. “It’s exciting to welcome Taylor to the Athletics as the new President of Baseball Operations,” A’s senior advisor Billy Beane wrote. “He is a smart, creative baseball mind with the leadership skills to build a cutting-edge, winning organization that our fans can be proud of for years to come. I couldn’t be more excited about the A’s future.” Smith replaces David Forst, . The 31-year-old president of baseball operations now is tasked with building a roster ahead of a new era of A’s baseball in Las Vegas. The team finished the 2026 MLB season with a disappointing 64-98 record, the worst result for the franchise since their abysmal 112-loss season in 2023. The A’s boast an exciting young core of position players headlined by 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, shortstop Jacob Wilson and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, to name a few. The franchise also has waiting in the wings. The focus on roster construction now pivots to the pitching staff. The A’s finished the 2026 season with a 5.51 team ERA, the second-worst mark in baseball. But, in a weak AL West division, Smith and the A’s have an opportunity to create a playoff contender sooner rather than later. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:59:03 GMT Dan Dempster https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58363998 https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/58363998 false false