yardbarker
The Athletics have officially named Taylor Smith as their new president of baseball operations, with the hiring finalized on Monday. During Smith's introductory press conference, team owner John Fisher suggested that the organization could also bring aboard a general manager to function as the second-in-command in the front office, according to a report from Martín Gallegos of MLB.com.
This two-tiered leadership model has become increasingly prevalent across Major League Baseball. The Athletics themselves employed such a structure when Billy Beane and David Forst held the top two positions in the baseball operations hierarchy. That arrangement persisted until the conclusion of the 2022 season, when Beane shifted into an advisory role and handed full autonomy over baseball operations to his longtime deputy.
Forst then oversaw the front office for three and a half seasons. Fisher opted for a change at the start of August as the team was clearly headed toward a fifth consecutive losing campaign. While many general manager changes often signal an impending managerial shift, that will not be the case for the Athletics. In February 2025, the club signed manager Mark Kotsay to a contract extension that extends through the 2028 season, with a club option for 2029.
Smith voiced his excitement about collaborating with the sixth-year skipper, noting that Kotsay appears to be someone who is eager for all the information the front office can provide. Smith added that he believes the two will form a great partnership.
Key Analysis
The potential addition of a general manager under Smith reflects a broader trend in MLB front offices, where specialization and layered decision-making are increasingly valued. For the Athletics, maintaining continuity with Kotsay—who is signed through 2028—suggests that the organization is prioritizing stability in the dugout while reshaping the executive suite. Smith's collaborative approach and Kotsay's appetite for data could foster a cohesive working relationship as the team aims to reverse its recent fortunes.
Originally reported by yardbarker.