Elephant Rumblings: Beane and Forst on A’s rebuild

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

Melissa Lockard at The Athletic wrote that Billy Beane is optimistic about both his future in the organization as well as the prospects for a new ballpark in Oakland. Beane voiced his commitment to stay with the organization “until they don’t want me here.” He spoke at length on the stadium saga’s ups and down—I recommend checking it out if you have access to The Athletic.

Meanwhile, both Beane and A’s general manager David Forst conceded that the current rebuild will be a long haul. Matt Kawahara at the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Beane views last offseason’s MLB lockout as having hampered the initial stage of the rebuild effort.

Beane stated that the budget for the A’s 2023 payroll is “still in discussion,” though Kawahara indicated that a significant increase is unlikely given the still-unresolved bid for a new stadium.

Forst recognized the progress of several players in 2022, such as Sean Murphy, Shea Langeliers, Nick Allen, JP Sears, Ken Waldichuk, and Seth Brown. He nevertheless indicated that “we’ll take a look at everything on the roster,” suggesting that the makeup of the team will be fluid this winter.

Both executives praised rookie manager Mark Kotsay for taking the helm amidst such a high degree of roster churn.

Forst and Beane were also noncommittal about bringing back all of the team’s arbitration-eligible players as well as the A’s lone free agent, Chad Pinder.

On balance, I get the impression that 2023 will be a bridge year in which we should hope to see marked improvement over this season, but not a return to contention. If the A’s can play near .500 ball next year and a new stadium gets approved, I’ll be very happy indeed with the direction of the organization. How about you, AN? What moves would you attempt if you ran the front office?

A’s Coverage:

• Kawahara: Beane, Forst say A’s have long way to go in rebuilding from 102-loss season ($)
• Lockard: As A’s face another period of uncertainty, Billy Beane remains committed long term ($)
• Martin: What gives A’s optimism moving forward after 102-loss season
• Moriarity: A’s Farm’s 2022 Post-Season All-Prospect Team
• Adams: Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023

MLB News & Interest:

• Garcia-Roberts: Former Angels employee Eric Kay sentenced to 22 years in Tyler Skaggs case ($)
• Shea: Giants hire Pete Putila from Astros as new GM ($)
• Gelb: Rob Thomson, now permanent Phillies manager, can keep connecting with his one-liners ($)
• McDonald: Astros Announce ALDS Roster
• McDonald: Guardians Announce ALDS Roster
• Franco: DJ LeMahieu Not On Yankees’ AL Division Series Roster Due To Foot Injury
• McDonald: Mariners Announce ALDS Roster
• McDonald: Phillies Announce NLDS Roster
• McDonald: Braves Announce NLDS Roster
• Franco: Padres Activate Mike Clevinger For NL Division Series
• McDonald: Dodgers’ NLDS Roster Does Not Include Craig Kimbrel
• Franco: Dustin Garneau Announces Retirement
• Heyman: It may be time for Mets to move on from Jacob deGrom if price isn’t right
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Beane and Kotsay on Pinder.

Jesse Chavez is still kicking around!

I know this one!

Hal’s list.

I’m with Casey!

Roster moves.

Olson got the Braves back in it but they couldn’t quite complete the comeback.

Maton pulls a Luzardo.

Garneau more.