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Oakland A’s: John Fisher’s cry of poverty is laughable

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 21: Managing Partner John Fisher and President David Kaval of the Oakland Athletics talk in the stands during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 21, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 3-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 21: Managing Partner John Fisher and President David Kaval of the Oakland Athletics talk in the stands during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 21, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 3-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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To hear the Oakland A’s tell it, they are on the verge of insolvency. The team does not have any money to spend in free agency, or really anything at all. Their team dinners may as well be whatever they can find in the dumpster behind McDonald’s.

The A’s lack of financial maneuverability can be understood. Due to the pandemic and a lack of revenue, the A’s, as well as the rest of the league, have had to make difficult decisions this offseason. Likewise, one could imagine that A’s owner John Fisher would be in a difficult spot as well.

John Fisher is actually doing well

Yeah, about that hypothetically difficult spot. Fisher has actually seen his net worth increase during the pandemic. He has gained $700 million in net worth since the start of the pandemic, and is considered to be worth $2.8 billion.

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The A’s have also seen their value improve since Fisher bought the team in 2005. He paid $180 million for the franchise that year, and with the team currently valued at approximately $1.1 billion, he certainly received a solid return on his investment. Considering the premium that interested parties have paid to purchase a team, it is likely that Fisher would receive far more than the A’s current value.

But, you know, the A’s do not have any money. They are incapable of spending in free agency, or doing anything to supplement the core of this team. Players such as Marcus Semien, Liam Hendriks, and Tommy La Stella have walked away because of that refusal to open the checkbook.

In reality, Fisher could inject some money into this team without really losing much of his value. Even $30 million would have done wonders for the A’s this offseason, allowing them to keep their middle infield together. That would just be a drop in the bucket.

Next. La Stella signs with San Francisco. dark

But no, John Fisher is going to cry poverty and claim that the Oakland A’s cannot spend in free agency. It would be laughable if it was not so pathetic.