A New Era in the Desert: The Athletics’ High-Stakes Search for a General Manager

As the Oakland Athletics navigate their final transitionary years before their high-profile relocation to Las Vegas in 2028, the organization finds itself at a critical crossroads. With the vacancy left by the departure of longtime general manager David Forst over a month ago, the front office is aggressively scouting for a successor capable of steering the franchise through this unprecedented period of change. According to reports from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the team has narrowed its focus to a pool of candidates that blends seasoned championship pedigree with deep organizational continuity.

Former Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and longtime Athletics assistant general manager Billy Owens have both formally interviewed for the position. They join former Houston Astros and current candidate James Click—whose interview status remains unconfirmed—as the primary names linked to the role. As the A’s seek to finalize their leadership structure before the conclusion of the 2026 season, the pressure is mounting to secure a candidate who can balance the demands of a volatile roster with the strategic planning required for a move to a new market.

The Candidates: Proven Champions and Organizational Anchors

The search reflects a desire to balance two competing philosophies: the radical pivot to an external, proven winner or the maintenance of a long-standing internal culture.

Mike Rizzo: The Architect of D.C.

At 65, Mike Rizzo enters the conversation as one of the most decorated executives in recent baseball history. His resume is defined by a 17-year tenure in Washington, where he transformed the Nationals from a fledgling franchise into a perennial contender. Rizzo’s strength lies in his scouting roots; having cut his teeth with the White Sox, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks, he brings an old-school evaluation approach to modern front-office management.

His hallmark success came in 2019, when the Nationals secured their first World Series title. That championship was the culmination of years of drafting and developing cornerstone talents such as Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, and Anthony Rendon. Furthermore, Rizzo was lauded for his aggressive acquisition of talent, whether through blockbuster trades for players like Trea Turner or the high-profile signing of Max Scherzer. His ability to identify international talent, most notably Juan Soto, solidified his reputation as a visionary.

However, the latter half of his tenure in Washington proved challenging. Following the 2019 title, the organization struggled to recapture its momentum. Despite a massive haul of prospects following the trade of Soto in 2022, the club remained mired in a rebuilding phase. A string of losing seasons, compounded by an 11-game losing streak in June 2025, led to the eventual dismissal of both Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez shortly thereafter. For the A’s, the question is whether Rizzo’s track record of drafting talent can revitalize a struggling farm system or if his most successful years are behind him.

Billy Owens: The Internal Legacy

In stark contrast to the external high-profile hiring of a veteran like Rizzo, Billy Owens represents the "A’s Way." Having been part of the organization since 1999, Owens has climbed every rung of the ladder—from minor league hitting instructor to scout, director of player personnel, and finally, assistant GM since 2015.

Owens is no stranger to the interview circuit. He has been a finalist for GM roles with the Mets and the Angels during the 2020-21 cycle and garnered significant interest from the San Francisco Giants when they sought a partner for president of baseball operations Buster Posey. His appeal is rooted in stability; hiring Owens would ensure that the institutional knowledge that defined the Billy Beane and David Forst eras remains intact. For a team facing the logistical nightmare of moving to Las Vegas, an internal hire like Owens could provide the steady hand needed to navigate the transition without disruption.

Chronology of the Search and Strategic Implications

The vacancy arose in a climate of instability. Since the dismissal of David Forst, the A’s have had significant time to vet candidates behind the scenes. The organization’s timeline is clear: ownership desires a resolution before the current season concludes. This sense of urgency suggests that the A’s are looking to hit the ground running for the winter meetings, where the construction of the 2027 roster will be paramount.

The strategic implications of this hire go beyond baseball operations. The Athletics are currently navigating a unique period, playing games in Sacramento while preparing for their eventual relocation to Nevada. This period of "nomadic baseball" creates significant challenges for player recruitment and retention. A new general manager must be able to sell a vision of the future that includes a state-of-the-art facility in Las Vegas, even while the team is currently operating in a temporary, hitter-friendly minor league environment.

The Managerial Question: Status of Mark Kotsay

A recurring theme in any front-office transition is the status of the field manager. Despite the team’s struggles—including a 315-482 record over the past four-plus seasons—manager Mark Kotsay appears safe for the immediate future. Nightengale reports that Kotsay is considered secure, partly due to the fact that he is currently in the first year of a three-year contract extension that runs through 2028.

However, this decision remains complex. While Kotsay has been forced to manage through a period of extreme organizational flux, including the team’s move to Sacramento and the associated difficulties of a sub-optimal home stadium, his results have failed to meet expectations. The A’s have recently increased their spending to retain core talent, raising the bar for on-field performance.

The new general manager will face an early test of their authority: do they retain Kotsay to maintain consistency through the final Sacramento season, or do they move to appoint their own person? It is entirely possible that the A’s organization will adopt a "stewardship" model, keeping Kotsay through 2027 to navigate the final transition year, followed by a total clean slate upon the team’s arrival in Las Vegas in 2028.

Assessing the Future of the Athletics’ Front Office

The search for a new GM is a microcosm of the larger struggle for the Oakland Athletics. They are a franchise attempting to shed the skin of their past while trying to build a foundation that will survive the move to a new state.

If they hire an outsider like Rizzo or Click, they signal a desire for a complete cultural reset. These candidates possess the experience of having built winning organizations from the ground up and have the gravitas to attract free agents who might otherwise be wary of the team’s relocation narrative. If they hire from within—specifically someone like Owens—they are betting that the "A’s Way" of talent evaluation and financial discipline is the most reliable path to success in a new, high-stakes market.

Ultimately, the choice of the next general manager will define the first chapter of the Las Vegas era. With the deadline for a hire approaching, the front office is not just looking for a roster builder; they are looking for a face of the franchise who can navigate the politics, the logistics, and the high expectations of a move that will define the team for decades to come. As the 2026 season draws to a close, the Athletics are poised to make a move that will echo far beyond the diamond.