Oakland Athletics hire Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations

The Oakland Athletics have appointed Taylor Smith as the new President of Baseball Operations. At 31, Smith becomes the youngest person to hold the position in Major League Baseball. He joins the franchise following roles as the assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox and several years with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Smith intends to implement an analytics-based approach to roster construction, drawing inspiration from the “Moneyball” philosophy. His primary objective is to build a competitive, sustainable roster ahead of the team’s scheduled relocation to Las Vegas in 2028, where they will play in a new $2.1 billion stadium.

Addressing the team's recent struggles, including a 64–98 record in 2026 and a league-low 5.51 team ERA, Smith faces the immediate challenge of improving the pitching staff. The franchise will spend its final years in Sacramento before moving to the Las Vegas Strip.