Lets talk Athletics

[AJ_2000]

There was some speculation that the Nepo Baby would try to sell the team as soon as possible after the move to Las Vegas was approved. According to Bob Nightengale at USA Today, the move to Vegas was approved by the owners with one caveat - a "10-year flip tax" which will harshly penalise Fisher should he sell the team at any time before 2034. As part of the move to Vegas, the MLB waived the usual relocation fee (worth $300 million) but he will be taxed should he sell the team prior to 2034. If he sells the Athletics prior to 2028, he would be taxed 20% of the purchase price, which would be split between the other 29 owners. If he sells the Athletics in 2029, the tax is reduced to 10%. If he sells the Athletics between 2030-2033, the tax would reduce each year.

Nightengale's Notebook: What made late Padres owner Peter Seidler beloved by his MLB peers

Seidler, who purchased a controlling stake in the franchise in 2020, spared little expense in chasing a World Series championship.

www.usatoday.com

Glad the others instituted a measure like this so the cost would be closer to 1b if they tried to do the old property developer flip.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Eh, I would prefer that the Nepo Baby sells as quickly as possible so the amount of time he destroys this storied franchise is limited as much as possible. It's typical MLB owner shortsightedness. By imposing the tax on him selling, they're basically locking themselves in lockstep with the Nepo Baby for the next 5-6 years while underwriting his destruction of the roster. Seems arse backwards to me. Give him his move to Vegas and then wave goodbye to him as he sells to an owner more prepared to invest in the team, both onfield and off.

 

[AJ_2000]

Eh, I would prefer that the Nepo Baby sells as quickly as possible so the amount of time he destroys this storied franchise is limited as much as possible. It's typical MLB owner shortsightedness. By imposing the tax on him selling, they're basically locking themselves in lockstep with the Nepo Baby for the next 5-6 years while underwriting his destruction of the roster. Seems arse backwards to me. Give him his move to Vegas and then wave goodbye to him as he sells to an owner more prepared to invest in the team, both onfield and off.

They're keen on not giving him the free ride without paying the relocation tax. If he wanted to flip, spend the cash

 

[AJ_2000]

Plan B's: Meet the Oakland Ballers, the pro baseball team moving in with A's set for Las Vegas move

With the A's aiming to leave town, the Oakland Ballers (aka the B's) will join the independent Frontier League

www.cbssports.com

Oakland Ballers are a new team playing in the independent leagues.

Reminds me a bit of some other grass roots teams that have formed in England after relocating or dissatisfaction, like AFC Wimbledon after they relocated to Milton Keynes.

 

[Upstart Swan]

Plan B's: Meet the Oakland Ballers, the pro baseball team moving in with A's set for Las Vegas move

With the A's aiming to leave town, the Oakland Ballers (aka the B's) will join the independent Frontier League

www.cbssports.com

Oakland Ballers are a new team playing in the independent leagues.

Reminds me a bit of some other grass roots teams that have formed in England after relocating or dissatisfaction, like AFC Wimbledon after they relocated to Milton Keynes.

Same colours, but that logo looks a bit wonky:

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The A's managed to turn 100+ losses in two straight seasons into the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft and the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, and no higher than the tenth overall pick in the 2025 draft, under the rules of the MLB draft. In the meantime, the Cincinnati Reds landed the second overall pick in the 2023 draft despite finishing two games outside the playoffs. GFY, Manfraud.

 

[Upstart Swan]

A lot of Dodgers fans in Las Vegas. I wonder how many will switch allegiance now to the Vegas Athletics?
At least Fisher will get his stadium sellouts when the Dodgers come to town!

 

[Big Unit 30]

A lot of Dodgers fans in Las Vegas. I wonder how many will switch allegiance now to the Vegas Athletics?
At least Fisher will get his stadium sellouts when the Dodgers come to town!

Last time I was in Vegas during summer it was 40 deg at midnight.
Tipping there’ll be some fatigue in the As players after a home stand.

 

[AJ_2000]

 

[Upstart Swan]

I don't understand US politics but apparently this is all perfectly legal. I just think it's funny that even when he's buying votes, John Fisher is still a cheapskate!

 

[Dixie Flatline]

A political action committee supported by the Nevada State Education Association's Strong Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against the State of Nevada and its governor, Joe Lombardo, seeking to overturn the law passed last US summer approving $380 million in public funding for the construction of a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip. Neither the Athletics nor the MLB are named as defendants. The suit alleges that the stadium funding law does not comply with the state constitution. Among the claims alleged is that the proposal required a super majority (two thirds of legislators in favour of the legislation) as opposed to a simple majority, which is the constitutional requirement in Nevada for bills creating or increasing public revenue.

The union had previously sought a referendum to allow voters to directly vote on the stadium deal. A judge rejected the proposal in November 2023, and that is the subject of an appeal.

Nevada teachers union sues to block A's Las Vegas stadium deal

A Nevada teacher's union is challenging a bill that would use taxpayer funds to help the A's build a new stadium.

theathletic.com

Teacher union PAC files lawsuit challenging public financing for Oakland A’s stadium - The Nevada Independent

Read current Nevada news from The Nevada Independent: Teacher union PAC files lawsuit challenging public financing for Oakland A’s stadium. Read more >>

thenevadaindependent.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Current 40 man roster nearing the start of Spring Training

Pitchers	Jersey No.	Bats/Throws	Height	Weight	DOB
Brady Basso	78	R/L	6'2"	213	8 October 1997
Osvaldo Bido	45	R/R	6'3"	175	18 October 1995
Paul Blackburn	58	R/R	6'1"	196	4 December 1993
Joe Boyle	35	R/R	6'7"	240	14 August 1999
Lucas Erceg	70	L/R	6'2"	214	1 May 1995
Joey Estes	68	R/R	6'2"	190	8 October 2001
Angel Felipe	53	R/R	6'5"	190	30 August 1997
Trevor Gott	17	R/R	5'11"	185	26 August 1992
Hogan Harris	63	R/L	6'3"	230	26 December 1996
Zach Jackson	61	R/R	6'4"	230	25 December 1994
Dany Jimenez	56	R/R	6'1"	182	23 December 1993
Michael Kelly	47	R/R	6'4"	185	6 September 1992
Adrian Martinez	55	R/R	6'2"	215	10 December 1996
Luis Medina	46	R/R	6'1"	175	3 May 1999
Mason Miller	19	R/R	6'5"	200	24 August 1998
Kyle Muller	39	R/L	6'7"	250	7 October 1997
Sean Newcomb	16	L/L	6'5"	255	12 June 1993
Royber Salinas	81	R/R	6'3"	205	10 April 2001
JP Sears	38	R/L	5'11"	180	19 February 1996
Mitch Spence	69	R/R	6'1"	185	6 May 1998
Ross Stripling	36	R/R	6'1"	215	23 November 1989
Freddy Tarnok	62	R/R	6'3"	185	24 November 1998
Ken Waldichuk	64	L/L	6'4"	220	8 January 1998
Alex Wood	57	R/L	6'4"	215	12 January 1991
Catchers	Number	B/T	Height	Weight	DOB
Shea Langeliers	23	R/R	6'0"	205	18 November 1997
Tyler Soderstrom	37	L/R	6'1"	200	24 November 2001
Infielders	Number	B/T	Height	Weight	DOB
Nick Allen	2	R/R	5'8"	166	8 October 1998
Jordan Diaz	13	R/R	5'10"	175	13 August 2000
Aledmys Diaz	6	R/R	6'1"	195	1 August 1990
Zack Gelof	20	R/R	6'2"	205	19 October 1999
Darell Hernaiz	48	R/R	5'11"	190	3 August 2001
Ryan Noda	49	L/L	6'3"	217	30 March 1996
Abraham Toro	31	S/R	6'0"	223	20 December 1996
Outfielders	Number	B/T	Height	Weight	DOB
Miguel Andujar	22	R/R	6'0"	211	2 March 1995
Lazaro Amentaros	74	R/R	5'11"	182	22 May 1999
JJ Bleday	33	L/L	6'2"	205	10 November 1997
Seth Brown	15	L/L	6'1"	223	13 July 1992
Lawrence Butler	22	L/R	6'3"	210	10 July 2000
Brent Rooker	25	R/R	6'4"	225	1 November 1994
Esteury Ruiz	1	R/R	6'0"	169	15 February 1999

 

[AJ_2000]

A political action committee supported by the Nevada State Education Association's Strong Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against the State of Nevada and its governor, Joe Lombardo, seeking to overturn the law passed last US summer approving $380 million in public funding for the construction of a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip. Neither the Athletics nor the MLB are named as defendants. The suit alleges that the stadium funding law does not comply with the state constitution. Among the claims alleged is that the proposal required a super majority (two thirds of legislators in favour of the legislation) as opposed to a simple majority, which is the constitutional requirement in Nevada for bills creating or increasing public revenue.

The union had previously sought a referendum to allow voters to directly vote on the stadium deal. A judge rejected the proposal in November 2023, and that is the subject of an appeal.

Nevada teachers union sues to block A's Las Vegas stadium deal

A Nevada teacher's union is challenging a bill that would use taxpayer funds to help the A's build a new stadium.

theathletic.com

Teacher union PAC files lawsuit challenging public financing for Oakland A’s stadium - The Nevada Independent

Read current Nevada news from The Nevada Independent: Teacher union PAC files lawsuit challenging public financing for Oakland A’s stadium. Read more >>

thenevadaindependent.com

These things never work

 

[Dixie Flatline]

It has been reported that Oakland Athletics have set up a meeting with officials from the Oakland City Council regarding an extension to the lease over the Coliseum to enable the A's to remain in Oakland until the stadium in Las Vegas is constructed.



The A's are slated to move to Las Vegas in time for opening day of the 2028 season, but the current lease at the Coliseum expires at the end of the current season. The A's have spent much of the off-season looking at alternate options but it seems that those options may have fallen through and they have re-opened discussions with the City of Oakland about extending the lease for the short term.

Possibly at the heart of the matter is the fact that the A's receive $70 million per season in broadcast rights provided that they stay in the Bay Area.

John Fisher reportedly will not attend the meeting, but his right hand man, Dave Kaval, is slated to meet with the City.

The A's mayor, Sheng Thao, has previously said publicly that the City of Oakland would want to retain the rights to use the "Athletics" name and moniker and that Oakland be prioritised as a future expansion site as conditions to allowing the team to extend its lease at the Coliseum.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Oakland has a new play by play commentator with NBC Sports California (the local broadcaster for A's games) announcing that Jenny Cavnar has been named as the primary play-by-play announcer for live game coverage. For the past 12 years, Cavnar has been the backup announcer, pregame and postgame host and a reporter for regional TV coverage of the Colorado Rockies. Cavnar replaces long-time commentator Glen Kuiper, who was fired by NBC Sports California for uttering a racial epithet on-air during a broadcast in May 2023.

NBC Sports California names Jenny Cavnar as A's play-by-play announcer

NBC Sports California has named Jenny Cavnar as the Athletics play-by-play announcer.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

And the baseball pre-season is underway with pitchers and catchers reporting to Oakland's spring training site located in Mesa, Arizona. Even with the spectre of Oakland's relocation hanging over the club, there's still plenty of intrigue to sort through in spring training.

The A's have acquired two veteran pitchers during the pre-season (one via trade, the other through free agency) which should fortify the front end of the rotation, and it looks like that the A's will take LHP JP Sears, RHP Paul Blackburn, RHP Ross Stripling and LHP Alex Wood as the first four starters (order TBC) into the season. The fifth starter remains yet to be determined, and spring training could go some way of sorting out who steps up to take that role. Luis Medina is probably the front-runner at this stage, having made 17 starts last season for the A's, but he'll face competition from Joe Boyle, Freddy Tarnok, Joey Estes and Adrian Martinez. The A's opened the season with LHP Kyle Muller last year, but he struggled and was demoted to the bullpen. He's out of options and will need to secure a spot on the active roster or be exposed to waivers.

The A's also have a question mark over shortstop. Incumbent Nick Allen has an impressive glove but has a pool noodle for a bat, putting up just 55 wRC+ in over 300 plate appearances for the A's, which (to put it mildly) is not good enough. Allen is probably best suited to being a bench player at this stage. Aledmys Diaz is in the second year of his contract with the A's, and could play short at a pinch, but he is not good enough to stick at the position in the long-term, and he also needs to improve his production at the plate (which would likely be affected by having to learn a new position).

The A's protected Darell Hernaiz (acquired from the O's in a trade last season) from the Rule 5 draft, and he was very productive in the minors. Even accounting for the necessary adjustment to major league pitching, he probably represents an upgrade in production over Allen but would likely be a significant downgrade defensively.

 

[Big Unit 30]

Insensitive comment and I’m not even an As fan

 

[Upstart Swan]

Insensitive comment and I’m not even an As fan

View attachment 1907039

I guess according to Manfred we just change the thread title to Let's Talk Giants.

 

[Upstart Swan]

Here's CBS Sports 2024 season preview for the A's. The last paragraph is excellent:
Athletics 2024 season preview: Projected lineup, rotation and any hope for a future, in Las Vegas or not

What would make for a successful season?
Real talk: A successful 2024 for the A's would be the Las Vegas plan falling apart and Fisher having to sell the team. Fisher is a stain on the sport and thoroughly unfit to be the steward of a historic franchise that has won the second-most World Series titles among American League teams. Shame on commissioner Rob Manfred and the other 29 owners for aiding and abetting what Fisher has done to the A's. Sell the team, John.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

 

[Upstart Swan]

View attachment 1942859

A reasonably successful boycott. There's actually more people there than I expected. Apparently there was a good turnout of boycotters outside in the carparks.

 

[AJ_2000]

A reasonably successful boycott. There's actually more people there than I expected. Apparently there was a good turnout of boycotters outside in the carparks.

Apparently thousands in the carpark

 

[AJ_2000]

First win of the year, needed a walk off walk to win

 

[Upstart Swan]

This could be the final nail in the coffin as far as Oakland and the Athletics goes:

Athletics appear close to Sacramento stopover

The A's appear close to severing ties with Oakland and making a minor league ballpark their interim home before the expected move to Las Vegas.

www.espn.com.au

 

[AJ_2000]

This could be the final nail in the coffin as far as Oakland and the Athletics goes:

Athletics appear close to Sacramento stopover

The A's appear close to severing ties with Oakland and making a minor league ballpark their interim home before the expected move to Las Vegas.

www.espn.com.au

They should change the name to the Sacramento A's of Oakland and Las Vegas.

Time to start to find a new team .