Oakland Athletics part ways with GM David Forst as interim leadership takes hold
Assistant GM Dan Feinstein steps in for remainder of 2026 season as ownership cites nearly three decades of service from Forst
The Oakland Athletics have mutually separated from general manager David Forst, ending his tenure as the club’s top baseball decision-maker. Assistant general manager Dan Feinstein has been appointed interim general manager for the remainder of the 2026 season, while the franchise initiates a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement. The decision follows a significant decline in on-field performance, with the team posting a 7-32 record in the second half of the season, the worst in Major League Baseball.
Forst, 50, joined the organisation as a scout in 2000 and was named general manager in 2015. He assumed full control of baseball operations after Billy Beane moved to a senior advisor role in November 2022. Owner John Fisher described Forst as an integral part of the A’s for nearly three decades, citing his leadership in shaping the baseball operations department and positioning the club for its future. Forst stated it was an honour to spend 27 years with the organisation.
The departure comes after a season that began with promise. The Athletics held first place in the AL West for portions of April and May and stood at .500 (38-38) after June 19. However, the team’s performance deteriorated sharply thereafter, leaving them with the third-worst record in baseball despite a quiet trade deadline. The franchise, currently playing in Sacramento while awaiting relocation to Las Vegas, had high expectations after losing 393 games over the previous four years.
Financial and structural challenges loom large for the incoming leadership. The A’s project a year-end payroll of $96.9 million, ranking 25th among MLB teams. This figure may need to increase significantly under a proposed salary floor of $171.2 million in the new collective bargaining agreement. The club is also navigating the construction of a new indoor, climate-controlled ballpark on the former site of the Tropicana Hotel and casino, scheduled to open in 2028.
The next general manager will face complex roster decisions, particularly regarding pitching. With prospects like Leo De Vries and Kurtz, who has hit 21 home runs in 99 games, forming a core, the club lacks long-term frontline starters. The new Las Vegas stadium, situated at a high altitude, is expected to be hitter-friendly, potentially complicating efforts to recruit free-agent pitchers. Feinstein will oversee the transition as the club prepares for its move from Oakland, where it played its final season in 2024.
