This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SAN ANTONIO – The General Managers Meetings, which took place earlier this week, provided an opportunity to catch up with Athletics GM David Forst.

Among the topics discussed, Forst indicated that the biggest needs he will look to address this offseason are third base and starting pitching, with those additions more likely to come through trades rather than free agency. Forst also expressed the need to rebuild the team’s bullpen, a process already underway with the club having re-signed veteran left-hander T.J. McFarland to a one-year deal.

Here are some other topics Forst touched on with MLB.com at the GM Meetings:

On the decision to play on natural grass instead of synthetic turf at their new temporary home of Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento next season

“I think it removes one variable for us. Obviously, there’s still a lot of work to do on the grass to keep it healthy for two teams. They’ll probably have to replace the field at some point during the season. But just the uncertainty of how turf plays and how our players respond to it, the heat, it’s a little bit of a relief taking that out of it. This is ultimately what the players wanted.”

On the impact of that decision affecting potential free-agent signings

“No one has mentioned turf versus grass. 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.”

On the performance of A’s top prospects Nick Kurtz (ATH No. 2 prospect/MLB No. 45), Henry Bolte (ATH No. 5), Denzel Clarke (No. 10) and Daniel Susac (No. 11) in the Arizona Fall League

“The position-player group has done really well. Susac and Bolte are both gone now. Daniel had a little oblique issue and we shut him down, but he swung the bat great. Henry did a nice job. Henry was always only going to go for half the time until Nick was ready, just because Henry had a full regular season.

"I think Kurtz, first game he was 0-for-4 with three punchouts shaking one day of rust off, and then [he] hit the ground running from there, so that’s been great to see. Denzel has been a big story down there, too. He’s showing off his speed and everything he can do in center field. It’s been a really good showing down there for the position-player group.”

On the promising Minor League outfield depth of Clarke, Bolte and A’s No. 7 prospect Colby Thomas

“All three of those guys should be candidates some time in 2025 to be in the big leagues. Henry finishing the year at Double-A, he’s a little bit behind, but it’s definitely an area of strength for us. I feel good about our big league outfield right now, so it’s nice to know there’s another group right behind.”

On Kurtz potentially fast-tracking his way to the big leagues this season

“He’ll be in big league camp [in Spring Training] and after what [A’s No. 1 prospect/MLB No. 24] Jacob [Wilson] did this year, I wouldn’t put a timeframe on anybody. These days, guys are being promoted quicker and quicker. You never know.”

Health updates on Ken Waldichuk and Luis Medina in their recovery from Tommy John surgery

“Ken is doing really well. I don’t know exactly what he’s going to be doing in Spring Training, but he’ll be close to a year [removed from surgery] at that point and he’ll be off the mound. I don’t know the exact timeline yet. Luis is a ways behind. I don’t think we’ll talk about him being in a game until after the All-Star break, probably. But I expect Ken to contribute in ‘25.”

On potentially filling third base with an internal option

“I don’t want to discount the possibility of [Darell] Hernaiz, [Max] Schuemann or [Brett] Harris. To some extent, [A’s No. 8 prospect] Max Muncy may move there. We do have good internal options, but I think we need to explore what is possible on the Major League side.”

On a potential contract extension for manager Mark Kotsay, who has one year left on his current deal

“We just haven’t gotten to that yet. I don’t think Mark is worried about it. He and I talk a lot. We’ll get there.”