Forst focused on trades to help young A's core

SAN ANTONIO -- As general manager David Forst formulated his offseason planning, a bit of relief was provided after one of the bigger question marks surrounding the A’s impending move to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento next season was answered last month when MLB announced that the team would be playing on natural grass rather than synthetic turf.

The resolution on the playing surface was an important one. It eliminated concerns players had about the potential health and heat-related risks of playing on synthetic turf. But while one variable is removed, other question marks remain as Forst seeks to upgrade a young A’s club that improved upon its 2023 record by 19 wins last season but still has some work to do after finishing 69-93.

With free agency now officially underway, Forst is fully equipped to answer any questions a free agent might have about the logistics of playing at Sutter Health Park, which the A’s will be sharing with the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants.

“I’ve made sure we’re prepared,” Forst said in a meeting room of the JW Marriott in San Antonio at the General Managers Meetings on Tuesday afternoon. “I have renderings and descriptions of the clubhouse and how it’s all going to work for when [free-agent discussions] really get down to it. But we haven’t gotten to that point yet.”

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While the A’s fully expect to have a new ballpark in Las Vegas built and ready for play by 2028 Opening Day, their agreement to play in West Sacramento does have an option for a fourth season in '28 should the stadium in Nevada not be completed by its planned opening date.

Given the uncertainty, Forst said the club is more focused on trades rather than free agents as a means of bolstering the roster for next season.

“I don’t know what the appetite is going to be to bring free agents to Sacramento,” Forst said. “It’s hard to say. … I think people are still trying to figure out how long we’re actually going to be in Sacramento. I don’t think they know the details quite yet.”

This does not mean the A’s are completely out on free agents. Third base and starting pitching are considered their biggest priorities this offseason, and while finding a third baseman via trade is certainly a possibility, free agency could be the best avenue to address those pitching needs given other teams’ general unwillingness to part ways with proven starters.

“There’s not a lot of starting pitching available in trades,” Forst said. “If you have starting pitching, you usually hold onto it. So, we’ll try. But those may be more difficult conversations.”

The GM Meetings represent the early stages of contact with players’ agents and executives from other clubs, so it will likely take some time before the A’s fill those needs. This offseason, however, feels much different from the past few years for Forst.

Since entering a rebuild period following the 2021 season, the A’s have entered each offseason with a long list of areas to improve. But having finished the 2024 season with a record of 39-37 after July 1, optimism has formed around the group the A’s have identified as their potential next core of winning baseball with players such as Mason Miller, Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom. Also looming are A’s No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 24) Jacob Wilson, who ended the season as the club’s everyday shortstop, and No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 45) Nick Kurtz, who reached as high as Double-A Midland not long after the A’s took him fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Now comes making the right offseason additions that will supplement that core and help the A’s take a big step towards getting back into playoff contention.

“I think we have a clear picture now of who the guys are in certain spots,” Forst said. “I was glad to hear that our guys left the season with a good feeling. It’s our job now over the next four months to continue to build that and put more players in place around the existing foundation.”