The A’s are on the move to Las Vegas, and things are changing fast. They’re just trying to build a new stadium and attract new fans. But they are puzzled over some departures. They hired a new president, Marc Badain, with a murky past. And they had news regarding Lawrence Butler, who was one of the few athletes on whom they spent a big contract. It all has fans wondering what the A’s are really up to. They should ask themselves one question: are they right or just inflating a bubble somewhere else? 

The A’s have been unexpectedly active this offseason, giving out contracts like Halloween candy. First was Brent Rooker for $60 million, then the team recorded $67 million for Luis Severino. The real puzzler, however, was the $65.5 million extension for Lawrence Butler, a youngster of promise entering the lineup after a single decent season. Butler agreed to a $65.5 million, seven-year contract with the Athletics. 

The agreement comes with a team option for 2032 that could shoot up the contract worth to some $81.5 million. Further, the contract terms are subject to a successful physical. The 24-year-old also gets a $3 million signing bonus, out of which $1 million is payable within one month of the contract’s approval by the commission’s office. And his salaries for the years are as follows: $2.25 million for this year; $3.25 million in 2026; $5 million in 2027; $8 million in 2028; $10 million in 2029; $14 million in 2030; $16 million in 2031. But the timing of his contract has raised certain suspicions.

As Scott Braun voiced on Foul Territory, saying, “I also find it ironic that news comes out, people start pointing out irregularities about the hire, then hours later, the great super talented great dude Lawrence Butler gets his extension done… that timing in my mind was on purpose.”  

Now the question is: Is this a genuine investment in the team’s future, or a calculated distraction from other issues? And then comes another question: why do they need that distraction?

This is where the plot thickens. The A’s new president, Marc Badain, comes with some baggage. Replacing Dave Kaval, who exited this winter, he was previously with the Las Vegas Raiders but left under a cloud of suspicion. “Accounting irregularities” were the official reason for his departure, which basically meant something fishy was going on with the money. So, yeah, maybe the A’s are trying to distract from that whole mess. But why would they need to? What’s the big deal about a little accounting scandal? Well, that’s a whole other story.

Smoke and mirrors: Marc Badain’s baggage

Here’s why Badain is actually a pretty big deal. This guy was the president of the Las Vegas Raiders, which means he knows a thing or two about building a stadium and moving a team. But more than that, Badain was the guy at the helm when the Raiders made their controversial move from Oakland to Las Vegas back in 2020. Remember all the drama, the fan protests, the political battles? Badain was right in the thick of it, navigating the complexities of stadium deals, relocation logistics, and the delicate dance of appeasing fans and politicians.

And guess what? The A’s are facing a similar situation now. They’re leaving Oakland, heading to Vegas, and trying to build a brand-new stadium. It’s a recipe for headaches, and that’s where Badain’s experience comes in handy. He’s been there, and done that, and he knows how to navigate the choppy waters of relocation. The A’s are hoping he can work his magic again, but this time, it’s on a different playing field. Can he translate his NFL experience to the world of baseball? That’s the million-dollar question.

Let’s not forget about another side of that story: that shiny new $1.75 billion stadium the A’s are trying to build in Vegas. It’s a pricey project, and there have been whispers about funding issues, shady backroom deals, and maybe even a few accounting “irregularities.” Cough, Badain, cough. So, is this sudden spending spree just a way to make fans forget about all that?

A $65.5 million smokescreen to hide the financial woes? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.