The Oakland Athletics have hired Michael Groopman, the Boston Red Sox assistant general manager, as president of baseball operations, the team confirmed Thursday. Groopman, 36, spent the past five seasons in Boston's front office, most recently overseeing player development and international scouting. He replaces Billy Beane's former lieutenant David Forst, who remains general manager but now reports to Groopman. The Athletics offered Groopman a five-year contract at an undisclosed salary, according to two people familiar with the terms.
Groopman joined the Red Sox in 2019 after three years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he worked under Andrew Friedman as director of baseball operations. In Boston, he rebuilt the team's Dominican academy infrastructure and oversaw the draft strategy that produced 2023 third-round pick Kyle Teel, now the organization's top-ranked prospect. The Red Sox promoted 14 players from their farm system to the major league roster during Groopman's tenure, including outfielder Jarren Duran and infielder Ceddanne Rafaela. Boston finished 78-84 in 2024, third in the AL East, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The hire signals owner John Fisher's intention to stabilize baseball operations before the franchise's planned move to Las Vegas in 2028. The Athletics will play the next three seasons at a 10,000-seat minor league stadium in West Sacramento while their $1.5 billion Strip-adjacent ballpark is constructed. Fisher needs a credible front office to convince free agents to sign with a team playing in a converted Triple-A park, and Groopman brings Boston's organizational credibility without the Dodgers' price tag. The Red Sox system ranked 12th in Baseball America's preseason farm system rankings this year, up from 23rd when Groopman arrived. That trajectory matters more to Fisher than big-name recognition.
Groopman inherits a $50 million payroll, the lowest in baseball, and a roster that lost 112 games in 2024. The Athletics traded away ace Shea Langeliers and closer Mason Miller at the deadline, collecting four prospects ranked in Baseball America's organizational top-100. Groopman's first assignment is the 2025 draft, where Oakland holds the third overall pick and $16.4 million in bonus pool money. His second is convincing international free agents that Sacramento is a stepping stone, not a dead end. The Red Sox spent $5.1 million on international prospects in Groopman's final signing period, suggesting he can deploy capital when it's available. Oakland has historically spent less than $2 million annually.
The timing positions Groopman to shape the roster before the Vegas stadium opens. The team's lease in Sacramento runs through 2027, giving him three development cycles to stockpile controllable talent. Fisher has privately told prospective sponsors that the Vegas payroll will climb to $120 million by opening day, according to pitch decks reviewed by Bloomberg. That's still bottom-third in baseball, but triple Oakland's current spend. Groopman's Boston pedigree helps Fisher court casino operators and tech sponsors who want proof of organizational competence before committing eight-figure annual deals.
Forst, who has been with the organization since 2000 and served as GM since 2015, will focus on major league roster construction and arbitration while Groopman oversees long-term strategy. The reporting structure mirrors the Dodgers' Friedman-Farhan Zaidi model from 2014 to 2018, where Zaidi handled day-to-day trades and Friedman set organizational philosophy. Forst's willingness to accept the demotion suggests either deferred compensation or equity in the Vegas entity, though neither side commented on contract details.
Watch for Oakland to hire a new scouting director within 30 days, likely from Groopman's Boston or Dodgers network. The Athletics also need a Triple-A manager for their Las Vegas Aviators affiliate, which will serve as the de facto major league audition stage for prospects while the parent club plays in Sacramento. Groopman's first free-agent pitch happens in November, when relievers and utility infielders start signing. If Oakland lands a $4 million middle reliever, Fisher's payroll promise has teeth.
The takeaway
Oakland imports Boston's farm system architect on a five-year deal as John Fisher seeks organizational credibility before the Vegas move.
Editorial & Disclosure Notice: This article was written with artificial intelligence from public sources and is published without individual human review. Artificial intelligence and other digital tools are also used for research, analysis, editing, formatting, and production. Errors, omissions, outdated information, or inaccuracies may occur. References to companies, brands, products, services, organizations, or individuals are for informational and editorial purposes and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, partnership, or approval unless expressly stated. All trademarks and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. Opinions, analysis, estimates, and commentary are informational only and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, tax, medical, procurement, or other professional advice. Information may be corrected, clarified, or updated after publication. Corrections or removal requests: jenny@pops4.com.
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