Oakland is reportedly again on the losing side against Las Vegas. After losing out on the Raiders, the Athletics in MLB are all set to shift their base to Vegas. While the A’s plan was well known, their recent recruitment of Marc Badain as their new president caused a stir. Well, before concluding anything, the A’s march to Vegas is still a long road away. The lack of proper relocation planning and site sanction is only casting further doubt on their move. So, what made the Athletics move from Oakland to Vegas?

Well, after years of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a new stadium deal in the Bay Area, the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas, primarily due to the difficulty of securing a new, modern stadium in Oakland. Moreover, the alluring financial incentives and potential for a larger fan base offered by the Las Vegas market are also making a strong case for their move. The team reportedly plans to build a new ballpark on the site of the former Tropicana hotel and casino. Maybe! Why? Because everything is still in plans only, and no concrete moves are evident. 

The same emotion was shared by MLB insider AJ Pierzynski in his podcast with Foul Territory. “Until I see one of those big things cranes come in and start lifting dirt and there’s there’s you know pylons going into the ground I’m not I’m not going to believe it,” Pierzynski said. The A’s moves to Vegas are still on paper with more promises and no substance. Even the insiders are doubtful about how A’s owner, John Fisher, is going to source funds for his $1.7 billion park at Vegas. Getting Badain to the group might help in sourcing funds, but there is no concrete evidence as of now. 

The Athletics’ vision for the 2025 season 

While the Athletics’ move to Vegas is not before 2028, they are scheduled to play in Sutter Health Park in Sacramento this year. So, what’s the A’s planning for this season? They finished 2024 with a 69-93 record after going 39-37 in their final 76 games. This year, the A’s are optimistic that the upcoming season will mark a transition from a rebuilding phase to postseason contention. Luis Severino and Gio Urshela are the top names and were acquired this offseason. Additionally, the Athletics are set to get their core group of players recognized as important components of their future. This includes Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, and Brent Rooker.

This season, Brent Rooker is projected to be the best hitter for the A’s. After finishing 2024 with a 164, FanGraphs’ Depth Charts predict that he will have a 133 wRC+ (100 is the league average). Additionally, they predict that he will score 3.1 fWAR, which is down from the 5.1 he recorded when serving as the team’s designated hitter. However, it still tops the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse. Considering the ongoing spring training, the Athletics are going at a 5-2 record, just behind the Cubs. Time will tell if these numbers can be maintained by them in the regular season. 

The Athletics’ move to Vegas is still looking half-baked. The fans’ long demand of keeping the team in Oakland might get some extra time to make the owner rethink. What do you think about the Athletics’ plan to move to Vegas? Share your arguments below.