The Athletics, currently 61-95, are just a week away from completing their fifth consecutive season with a losing record, but their biggest problem currently is addressing the vacancy at general manager.
The A’s have been searching for a permanent replacement in the front office for over a month since parting ways with longtime general manager David Forst, who spent 27 seasons with the franchise, on Aug. 7.
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The team would like to fulfill the vacancy before the season ends next week.
Assistant general manager Dan Feinstein was put in place in the interim while the search prolongs. It’s not going to happen in the blink of an eye, but it is reflective of the state of the team overall – there are major holes that need to be filled.
“David has been an integral part of the A’s and our success for nearly three decades,” team owner John Fisher said in a statement. “His leadership, dedication, and commitment to this team have helped shape our baseball operations department and position us for the future. We are grateful for everything David has done for our organization.”
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
(David Richard, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
(Benny Sieu, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
(David Dermer, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
(Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
A’s organization in discord?
It’s natural to wonder what happened with Forst, 50, after nearly three decades with the team.
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There was allegedly internal disagreement. According to USA TODAY Sports baseball columnist Bob Nightengale, Forst was in the final year of his contract and didn’t want to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028 when the organization moves from its temporary home in West Sacramento.
The A’s are on pace for one of their worst finishes in the last five years with just five losses away from the centennial mark and six games remaining. They sit fourth in the AL West.
The Athletics, who made wholesale firings on their minor-league development staff, also aren’t done yet. While the search for a general manager is on, a search might soon be on for a new coach. Nightengale reported rumblings around the league that skipper Mark Kotsay could be on the way out.
However, he added that Kotsay has a contract through 2028, when the A’s are expected to make their move to Las Vegas.
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Kotsay could manage the club for a season in Las Vegas and see from there. Overall, his job is considered safe. The current focus is on the vacant general manager position.
A’s candidates for general manager
Here’s who the A’s have contacted about the position:
Mike Rizzo, Washington Nationals former general manager
Mike Rizzo recently had a formal interview with the Athletics for their vacant GM position, according to Nightengale.
Rizzo would be a strong candidate for the A’s. He helped build the Washington Nationals into a powerhouse. Rizzo’s tenure in Washington, which began in 2006, was highlighted by the 2019 World Series championship.
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Rizzo was fired by the Nationals during the 2025 season after a rough start and not having seen success since their covenant 2019 season. Under Rizzo, the Nationals made five playoff appearances and won four division titles, one National League pennant and one World Series title.
But it’s not a foregone conclusion that Rizzo would choose the A’s. He’s also expected to have strong interest from the Houston Astros, who also have a vacancy at general manager. The ‘Stros won’t begin their interview process until their season concludes.
Billy Owens, Athletics assistant general manager, director of player personnel
The Athletics have also looked internally for their next general manager. The A’s interviewed their current assistant general manager and director of player personnel Billy Owens.
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Owens has spent 28 years with the organization after starting as a scout and minor league hitting coach in 1999.
His longstanding tenure with the franchise gives him strong consideration. If Owens is promoted, he would become the first Black general manager in the history of the organization.
James Click, Toronto Blue Jays vice president of baseball strategy
Another candidate the A’s are looking at is James Click, vice president of baseball strategy with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Click is considered a strong candidate and has held his capacity with the Blue Jays since 2023.
Prior to the Blue Jays, he spent three seasons with the Houston Astros as their general manager. Click came in as the successor to Jeff Luhnow in 2020. Click is credited with success in Houston, having helped put the team together that won the 2022 World Series.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will be the A’s next general manager? Three candidates for the job
