Athletics players reportedly prefer to stay at Coliseum site

In an article published by the SF Chronicle's John Shea on Sunday afternoon, several Oakland Athletics players were asked about the teams efforts to secure a place to play during the interim seasons while the team waits for a new ballpark in Las Vegas.

Second baseman Zack Gelof was quoted "...but my experience from last year, I have nothing but great things to say about the Coliseum". Gelof got called up in the middle of the season and spent the final two and a half months of the year on a tear for the A's.

Though Gelof was still in the minors for the first reverse boycott against the Rays, he was present for the second reverse boycott in Oakland against the Giants and got to experience the Coliseum at about 75% capacity.

It's tough to blame him for falling in love with the energy of the Coliseum, even if a lot of that energy was vitriol directed toward the team's ownership group.

Major league veteran Ross Stripling has some unique perspective on this front as well. He was a member of the Blue Jays during the Covid season when they weren't allowed to play in Toronto. The Blue Jays spent time between Dunedin, Florida and Buffalo, playing in minor league parks in both locations for the entirety of their home schedule.

Stripling mentions that there's nothing quite like playing in a big league park. Players know when they're in a minor league stadium because the amenities and environment are just different. It's tough to recreate the atmosphere of a sold out major league baseball game in a stadium that seats fewer than 15k fans.

It's fair to assume that the majority of players care to some degree about where they're playing their games. There are definitely some younger guys who would be fine playing in minor league parks if it meant that they'd get a crack at the major league roster. But for the veterans, it's a fair assumption that they'd prefer the amenities that come with a major league stadium.

As of right now, the Athletics have not come to an agreement to extend the lease at the Coliseum site. They've met with Oakland and Alameda County at least once in the past couple weeks to discuss the matter and the two sides reported that they were open to further discussion, but nothing is imminent at this point.