MESA, Ariz. — The Athletics have relocated from Oakland to the Sacramento area, where they will call a minor league ballpark home for the next three seasons. This temporary location is setting the stage while they await the completion of a new stadium in Las Vegas, anticipated for 2028.
This interim arrangement isn’t exactly ideal for a Major League Baseball team, but the Athletics are entering their Sacramento chapter with a surprising element: playoff aspirations. Despite the challenges, there’s newfound optimism among the players.
“It’s different,” remarked slugger Brent Rooker. “Winning remains the primary goal. Competing at this level requires a team composed of players with proven success and confidence.” He believes the team has now reached that critical stage.
In the AL West division, which appears open for competition, the Athletics aim to be strong contenders. Last season they ended with a 69-93 record and haven’t appeared in the playoffs since 2020 but showed promise with a 32-32 performance after the All-Star break.
Unlike previous patterns, owner John Fisher made significant investments during the offseason. Rooker secured a $60 million, five-year contract, and the team enhanced its pitching roster with right-hander Luis Severino, who signed a $67 million, three-year deal.
Also notable last week was the management’s decision to extend Manager Mark Kotsay’s contract, potentially keeping him with the team through 2029.
Outfielder JJ Bleday expressed confidence within the team, stating, “There’s a sense of comfort — we know who we are.” For players, knowing their roles before spring training fosters a positive atmosphere.
The lineup features key players such as Rooker, Bleday, outfielder Lawrence Butler, and catcher Shea Langeliers. The pitching staff, headed by Severino, offers intrigue, while closer Mason Miller boasts one of the league’s best arms, having thrown 510 pitches at 100 mph or more last year.
Rooker’s $60 million deal was a cornerstone move for the team. At 30, he achieved All-Star status in 2023, and further excelled in the following season with a .293 batting average, 39 home runs, and 112 RBIs.
His emerging leadership role impacts the team’s dynamic positively. “The success I’ve had allows me to lead this clubhouse effectively,” Rooker stated. He is eager to make the best of this opportunity.
For the Athletics, the renewed optimism is refreshing after difficult years, having concluded with records of 60-102 and 50-112 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, before a notable 19-win improvement last season.
Shea Langeliers is optimistic about the team’s potential, saying, “I think we’re very capable of taking another step forward.” He emphasizes aiming for a wild-card spot this season and competing hard in their division.
Though players hold fond memories of the Oakland Coliseum and its dedicated fans, the stadium often felt too large and empty. Their new home, Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, seats around 14,000 — significantly smaller but likely encouraging more sellout games.
Bleday looks forward to the atmosphere, commenting, “I think it’s going to be intimate in a good way. We’re all for having games sold out. That energy is going to be great and will inspire us to perform better.”
