The Oakland A’s front office could look drastically different in just a few weeks.
After years of continuity, the Oakland A’s front office could be facing a major shakeup. Billy Beane is seemingly on his way out, as his sports entrepreneurial group is looking to merge with the ownership group of the Boston Red Sox. His three decades in Oakland are about to come to an end.
Beane may not be the only member of the A’s front office to depart. According to reports, the Mets may be looking to speak to GM David Forst about a role with the franchise.
It sounds as if David Forst is a target for the Mets, not surprising considering he's worked with Sandy Alderson the past two years. Forst always has turned down every opportunity elsewhere, but I wonder if this one might intrigue him, especially with A's dim financial picture.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 17, 2020
There is certainly some familiarity there as Forst had worked with Sandy Alderson over the previous two seasons. As Alderson and new owner Steve Cohen look to remake the front office and modernize their operations, it makes sense that they would look to bring in someone with his background.
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It is not a certainty that Forst would take the opportunity even if permission were to be granted. He had turned down other opportunities before, staying in the familiar confines of Oakland. That may continue to be the case this time around, as he would seemingly be next in line to take over in the wake of Beane’s departure.
But this is not like any other offseason. While the A’s typically face financial restrictions and are far more likely to look for bargains in free agency, one has to wonder how much they are going to spend. Even those low cost free agents could be beyond the A’s budget for the upcoming year.
The Mets, meanwhile, are looking to win now. Cohen has said that he intends to treat the team like the large market club they are. Forst, for the first time in his career, would have the finances to make the roster as he sees fit without having to scrape for every penny. It would certainly be tempting.
The Oakland A’s front office could be facing major changes. While Billy Beane is already out the door, David Forst could follow.