The Athletics formally introduced Taylor Smith as the franchise's new president of baseball operations during a news conference Wednesday at the A's Experience Center at UnCommons in Las Vegas. The team announced the hiring of the 31-year-old executive on Monday, tasking him with preparing the organization for its planned relocation to Southern Nevada.
The appointment follows a search that included reported interest in Sam Fuld, who reportedly turned down the club's offer according to multiple media reports. Smith steps into a front office that still has a vacant general manager position; The Athletic reported Wednesday that the team recently interviewed four additional candidates for that role, all from playoff teams.
Meanwhile, construction on the team's $2.1 billion Las Vegas ballpark continues to progress. Workers completed the third steel truss arch on Wednesday, marking the tallest point of the stadium structure to date. The venue is being designed to host year-round concerts and events alongside baseball, featuring upgraded technology, luxury clubs, and general seating options.
The franchise has also reported early success in premium seating sales for the future ballpark. Roughly 300 Athletic Club season tickets have sold out, with more than three-fourths of the buyers coming from Southern Nevada.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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