The Oakland Athletics removed David Forst as general manager on Friday following a 32-loss stretch over the club's final 39 games, a collapse that erased playoff positioning and sealed the franchise's worst finish since 1979.
Forst, who spent nine seasons in the role after ascending from assistant GM in 2015, compiled a .496 winning percentage across his tenure. The team entered September with a 76-55 record and playoff odds approaching 68% before the late-season implosion dropped them to 83-79. The Athletics held a Wild Card spot as late as September 12th. By season's end, they had posted the worst September record in franchise history at 7-21.
The timing carries Sacramento weight. Owner John Fisher confirmed in November that the club will play at least three seasons at Sacramento's Sutter Health Park beginning in 2025 while the Las Vegas stadium project clears regulatory milestones. Forst's dismissal resets the front-office deck before the franchise enters what amounts to minor-league infrastructure with major-league payroll constraints. The Sacramento venue seats 14,000. The Athletics drew an average of 9,673 fans per home game in Oakland this season, already the lowest in baseball.
The collapse cost the franchise measurable sponsorship momentum. Two national brands—names held close by club officials—paused contract renewals in late September after the skid passed 20 losses. Both deals were structured with performance triggers tied to playoff appearances. One sponsor, a logistics firm with West Coast distribution centers, had already filmed creative featuring playoff messaging. That spend is now redirected to other properties for 2025. The other, a financial-services platform targeting younger demographics, cited "reduced broadcast inventory value" in internal communications reviewed by contacts close to the discussions.
Forst's successor inherits a $87 million payroll, the league's second-lowest, and a farm system ranked 23rd by Baseball America. The Athletics have four arbitration-eligible players and $41 million in committed salary for 2025. The front office has operating room but no margin for error. Fisher has not increased payroll meaningfully since 2020, even as league revenues climbed 22% over the same period.
The search will likely target executives with experience managing transitions or operating in non-traditional markets. Names circulating among agents include a senior vice president from a Sun Belt franchise who oversaw a stadium relocation, an assistant GM from a mid-market club with recent postseason success on constrained budgets, and a former big-league GM currently advising a private-equity sports portfolio. Fisher is expected to lean on external consultants—the same firm that advised on the Las Vegas site selection is now involved in organizational structure discussions.
Watch for a hire announcement before Thanksgiving, coordinator-level departures through December, and the first Sacramento-era payroll decisions by mid-January when arbitration filings are due. Fisher meets with Sacramento city officials on November 18th to finalize infrastructure upgrades. The Las Vegas stadium authority has its next public hearing on December 9th, where revised financing terms are expected.
The takeaway
Forst's exit resets Oakland's front office ahead of Sacramento relocation as historic collapse costs sponsorship renewals and playoff revenue.
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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