Elephant Rumblings: GM Forst in it “for the long run” to Vegas

MLB news roundup

Welcome to Thursday A’s fans!

General manager David Forst has come a long way during his front office career. Initially starting out as a scout all the way back in 2000, Forst quickly rose to assistant general manager in 2004 under Billy Beane and held that position until a promotion in 2015, when the team removed the assistant label and made him the official general manager of the club. Beane was still the man dictating the course of the franchise but Forst was given more control over the roster. That’s where he’s been since, and he is quickly approaching a full decade in the role with the club.

During that time he’s seen both playoff clubs and rebuilding squads, the latter of which we are dealing with right now. He’s rejected overtures from other teams to run their baseball operations departments, instead opting to stay with the team he started his front office career with. And it sounds as if he’s planning on sticking around around a while longer after his comments at the GM meetings.

“I’ve been here for 25 years. There’s not a thought that I wouldn’t be in this for the long run,” Forst said at this week’s GM meetings.

The longtime GM had no say in the relocation to Las Vegas and has only focused on putting the best team on the field with the restrictions that come with working for John Fisher. While he has a track record of success the most recent fire sale didn’t yield much in return, likely prolonging the current playoff drought. Unless there is a change from the ownership’s mind though, it sounds as if we should expect Forst to be running things for the foreseeable future. Hopefully we get some on-field results from his efforts sooner rather than later.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s Forst in it for the long run as team eyes Sacramento, Las Vegas
• Bally’s resort may ‘skirt’ A’s ballpark
• Former Athletics reliever Spencer Watkins signs with Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan
• Should the A’s attempt to trade for embattled Giants reliever?
• Perfect Cubs trade target may already be off the table
• Oakland votes to remove mayor Sheng Thao

MLB News & Interest:

• Dodgers expect Mookie Betts to return to infield next season
• Cardinals to move Wilson Contreras from catcher to first base
• Padres sign manager Mike Shildt to 2-year contract extension through ‘27
• Angels sign former Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks to 1-year deal
• Juan Soto to take time making free agency decision
• Rays among teams to check in on Soto
• Tigers open to working out Tarik Skubal extension
• Guardians re-sign catcher Austin Hedges to 1-year deal
• Giants weigh external options at shortstop
• Third baseman Alex Bregman undergoes elbow surgery
• Cubs looking for ways to bolster rotation for 2025
• Shortstop Willy Adames reportedly willing to move off of shortstop
• Starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, D-Backs GM meet after owner’s diss
• Astros have had internal discussions about trading reliever Ryan Pressly
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

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