Few pathways remain for the A’s to stay in Oakland

As the 2024 MLB season nears its end, and with it being the A’s final season in Oakland, everyone is seeking answers about the inconceivable inevitability that the team is set to leave an MLB-caliber stadium and facility for one that is, in every sense, minor league.

The A’s plan to temporarily relocate to Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park for the 2025-2027 MLB seasons, with an option for 2028, before their intended move to Las Vegas in 2028. This decision marks the end of the team's 57-season tenure at the Oakland Coliseum, where their lease expires after the 2024 season.

The move to Sacramento comes after unsuccessful negotiations with the City of Oakland for a lease extension. Sutter Health Park, with a capacity of 14,000, is currently home to the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. This interim relocation reflects the A's strategy to bridge the gap until their new stadium in Las Vegas is ready.

“I’m still in denial. I held out hope for a long time and part of me still does in a crazy way, but it is what it is. You never expect a team to leave town in this day and age,” said Baseball Hall of Famer and former A’s pitcher Dennis Eckersley.

Whether you’re Eckersley or any other critical thinker, there are many reasons to find this difficult to wrap your head around. For starters, one of the many renovations needed to make Sutter Health Park MLB-ready finally began construction in August.

The idea that all the renovations, duct tape jobs, and MLB-required amenities will be ready by March 2025 is far-fetched.

Is there still a chance the A’s planned move to Sacramento could fall through? Yes, but there are very few feasible pathways left. As difficult as it may be to believe, remember that we live in times when truth is stranger than fiction.

Let's examine a narrow but possible pathway for the A's to remain in Oakland beyond 2024.

1. Successful Recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

The obviously incompetent and possibly corrupt Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faces a recall election this November, a move that could significantly alter the city’s landscape, both politically and in the realm of sports. Thao’s tenure has been marred by controversies and missteps, including public safety concerns, economic mismanagement, the loss of the Oakland A’s, and, most ominously, an FBI raid on her home.

The recall election scheduled for November represents more than just a referendum on Thao's leadership; it is seen by many as a critical juncture for Oakland’s future. If successful, it could pave the way for new leadership, potentially someone like Bip Roberts, and set the stage for fresh negotiations with MLB and the A’s. It would also provide an opportunity to bury the sins of Thao, her predecessors, and A’s ownership that have contributed to this mess.

"Some of it’s due to ownership, and some of it’s due to the city. It’s not just one franchise that left; it’s three,” says A’s Hall of Fame pitcher Dave Stewart. “Each party, if they’re being fair and honest, needs to take responsibility for their part in this tragedy.”

2. Bip Roberts wins the Oakland Mayoral Recall Election

Speaking of the Bipster, the Oakland native, former MLB player, and beloved A's commentator may enter the political arena. Following the successful recall petition of Mayor Sheng Thao, Roberts announced his interest in running, capitalizing on a wave of voter dissatisfaction with the city’s direction under Thao’s leadership.

Roberts’ announcement was met with a wave of enthusiasm, particularly among those disillusioned by the loss of the Oakland A's. His campaign would capitalize on his deep roots in the community, his understanding of the importance of the A’s staying in Oakland, and his commitment to addressing the issues that had led to widespread dissatisfaction with Thao's administration.

The election of Bip Roberts would symbolize more than just a change in leadership; it would represent hope for many in Oakland that their city could retain the A’s as they face the prospect of losing the team. Roberts would likely command greater respect and attention from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and A’s owner John Fisher.

3. Mayor Bip Roberts negotiates an extension of the Coliseum lease

Newly elected Mayor Bip Roberts would take the initiative to meet with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. This meeting would be a strategic session aimed at convincing Manfred that keeping the A’s in Oakland is not only the right thing to do but also the best option. The discussion would start with addressing the inadequacy of the A’s playing in a minor league venue, even if only temporarily.

Mayor Roberts would lay out the stark realities to Commissioner Manfred. He would highlight how Sacramento's Sutter Health Park, while a fine facility for Triple-A baseball, lacks the infrastructure, capacity, and amenities befitting an MLB team. This reasoning would be strengthened if all the required renovations for Sutter Health Park are indeed running behind schedule.

Roberts could argue that the imagery of a storied franchise like the A’s playing in such a diminutive setting would damage MLB’s image. Manfred can look forward to the complaints teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and others will have about Sutter Health Park.

But Roberts wouldn’t come to the table just to critique; he would come with solutions, demonstrating Oakland’s renewed commitment to MLB and the A’s.

“Let’s talk about the Coliseum,” Roberts would propose, referring to the Oakland Coliseum, the A’s long-time home, which, despite its age, still meets the necessary criteria to host Major League Baseball.

In a bold gesture to demonstrate Oakland’s dedication, Roberts could offer an unprecedented deal: the A’s would play at the Coliseum rent-free or for a nominal fee for the next three seasons. This proposal would not only help save costs for the A’s but also spare MLB from the embarrassment of allowing a franchise to languish in a minor league ballpark for three or more seasons. The optics of Manfred and Fisher rejecting such a deal would look terrible for MLB.

4. A’s stadium plans in Vegas collapse, leaving Fisher desperate

The first signs of trouble are already apparent. The detailed financing plans for the new Vegas stadium, which were promised to be revealed at various stadium authority meetings, have been repeatedly delayed. Whispers in sports journalism circles suggest that Fisher is struggling to secure the private financing necessary to complement the public funds allocated for the project.

Recognizing the mounting losses and the diminishing prospects of the Vegas move, Fisher might decide to sell the team. This would open the door to new ownership, potentially involving local investors or a group committed to keeping the team in Oakland, but with fresh capital and a more sensible vision for the team’s future.

Alternatively, Fisher could return to negotiations with Oakland. Under Mayor Bip Roberts, the city would have already demonstrated a willingness to negotiate by offering rent-free or cheap use of the Coliseum. This gesture could evolve into a more comprehensive and financially viable deal at the Coliseum site for Fisher.

So there you have it. This path is narrow, but it exists. In an era when we desperately need heroes and luck more than ever, we will find out if Oakland steps up to the plate for one last miracle.