The Oakland A’s are not a team that is necessarily known for stability. Players come and go with regularity as ownership has refused to spend a reasonable amount on salary. Fire sales are a major part of doing business as no one retires as a long term member of the A’s any longer.
At least, that has been the case with the players. The A’s have been a model of continuity in other areas, with the coaching staff and front office rarely undergoing wholesale changes. Billy Beane has been in his position since 1997, with general manager David Forst as part of the front office since 2000.
Oakland A’s front office seeing changes
That is no longer the case. While Beane and Forst are staying with the organization, their roles are set to change. According to the A’s, Beane will be staying on board as a senior advisor to John Fisher, a role that allows him to pursue interests in other sports while continuing what has been a 33 year relationship. Forst is going to continue to be the A’s GM but is now taking over for Beane as the head of their baseball ops department.
Chances are, this will not change much in terms of the day to day for the A’s. Beane is still going to be around to advise Forst as needed while helping guide the direction of the franchise alongside John Fisher and the rest of the ownership group. Essentially, this will clear Beane to continue to be a part of the A’s organization while being involved in his own sports investment company.
This announcement could, however, make an impact upon the future of the organization. While Beane had been known to be a popular figure as teams sought to remake their front office and attempted to poach him, the same could be said for Forst. With this promotion, it is far more likely that he remains with the organization for the foreseeable future.
The names are staying the same but changes have come to the Oakland A’s. David Forst and Billy Beane now have new titles in the front office.