Good news for the Athletics’ fans all over! The Athletics—formerly Oakland—were known for being the stingiest in professional baseball sports. Their track record of low spending is known by everyone, albeit the ownership’s unwillingness to invest heavily in something that looks like a normal MLB payroll. However, it comes as a surprise that the Athletics have done something that no one expected before. So, what is it?
Well, on Friday, March 7, the Athletics announced their marketing partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, also known as the LVCVA for three years, as their official travel destination partner. While the club is preparing to move to Las Vegas in Southern Nevada by 2028 from Oakland, the Athletics have made a surprising move by spending more than $200 million on players. Quite surprising, isn’t it?
For the past decade or so, the A’s were pretty much ranked the lowest or second lowest in terms of spending in Major League Baseball. And now, since their move from Oakland, they have made the second most investments in the AL, standing right behind the New York Yankees, who spent $274 million, while the Athletics made $220.8 million spending. There are the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Rangers following the A’s, with $218.1M, $198.1M, and $159.4M, respectively. During the last decade in Oakland, the Athletics were not even in the top 20 in MLB payroll, as they remained settled at the bottom five in terms of spending, but this Las Vegas move has certainly proved to be a great opportunity for the organization, isn’t it?
The A’s have now spent the 2nd-most money this offseason in the AL behind only…the NY Yankees.
A’s and Yankees…the usual big spenders.
AL OFFSEASON SPENDING
1.) Yankees: $274.2M
2.) A’s: $220.8M
3.) Blue Jays: $218.1M
4.) Red Sox: $198.1M
5.) Rangers: $159.4M
(via Spotrac)
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) March 7, 2025
Definitely, the way the A’s are spending, they may even get to the top sooner than expected. So why such a sudden change? They have spent a good amount on their starting pitcher, Luis Severino, who signed a three-year, $67 million contract, the highest for the franchise. However, the A’s also went after Tampa Bay’s starting pitcher, Jeffrey Springs, and signed him for a two-year, $21 million deal.
They even made an extension of their designated hitter, Brent Rooker’s contract, confirming a five-year, $60 million extension. Now that they will be with the organization while the A’s make their way to Las Vegas, it looks like doubling the money spent can definitely pay off.
Athletics’ Las Vegas move is more than just a jersey patch
As the Athletics, quite surprisingly, moved to the top of the American League in terms of offseason spending, their Las Vegas move is not just about wearing a “Las Vegas” patch on their sleeves. The A’s have already announced their three-year partnership with LVCVA, and now considering the transition to a new home, they would like to make it big this time as well. While the patch will remind them that MLB is coming to Las Vegas, putting it as a world-class sports destination, A’s vice chairman, Sandy Dean, and owner, John Fisher, are hopeful of their team being there in 2028. But there’s more!
Alongside the increase in spending by the Athletics, they will also play two exhibition games against the Diamondbacks at Las Vegas Ballpark on Saturday and Sunday. The club has been putting their hearts out to do everything they can to leave a significant impact, for example, taking part in events across Las Vegas, publicly addressing speeches to kindergarteners, and their official mascot, Stomper, making an appearance too.
However, the A’s look to keep their fan base intact by doing their best both on and off the field with the same passion and energy they used to play with in the past. Do you think the increase in spending and move to Las Vegas can bring back the fate of the Athletics? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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