Athletics GM David Forst Departs With Team at 45-70 Before Las Vegas Move

David Forst has mutually agreed to part ways with the Athletics after a 27-year tenure, leaving the club with a 45-70 record and a minus-157 run differential.

The Athletics announced on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 4:46 PM ET, that general manager David Forst and the franchise have mutually agreed to part ways. This decision concludes Forst’s 27-year tenure with the organization, including the last 11 seasons serving as the head of baseball operations. The move occurs as the team currently holds a 45-70 record, placing them on a 63-win pace for the season. Statistically, the roster has struggled with a minus-157 run differential through 115 games. Assistant GM Dan Feinstein will assume leadership of baseball operations on an interim basis while the search for a permanent successor begins.

Forst, 50, originally joined the Athletics as a scout in 2000 and spent 12 years as an assistant general manager before succeeding Billy Beane in 2015. Despite signing a new contract less than one year ago, sources indicate Forst never intended to relocate to Las Vegas with the franchise. The team is currently in the second year of a three-year stopgap in Sacramento, with the move to Nevada expected to occur in less than two years.

Roster Performance and Statistical Trends

The Athletics' current trajectory follows a period of incremental improvement where the club increased its win total from 69 in 2024 to 76 in 2025. However, the 2026 season has seen a significant regression in the standings. While the offense showed promise through young core players like Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, the pitching staff has faced challenges. Outside acquisitions Jeffrey Springs and Luis Severino have not met expectations, though internal developments from J.T. Ginn and Gage Jump have shown progress this year.

Contractual stability was established for several offensive pillars prior to Forst's departure. Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, and Jacob Wilson have all signed extensions with the club. Other key contributors remaining in the young core include Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz. These players were central to Forst’s stated goal of building a contender by the time the team debuted in Las Vegas, a plan that has been interrupted by the current 45-70 slump.

History of Transactions and Postseason Runs

Forst’s leadership was characterized by a cycle of building and dismantling rosters due to an inability to retain homegrown talent reaching expensive arbitration or free agent years. He successfully constructed three consecutive playoff teams from 2018 to 2020. Following that window, the organization executed a series of high-profile trades over a two-year span to reset the roster. These transactions involved sending away Jesus Luzardo, Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, and Sean Murphy.

Owner John Fisher acknowledged Forst’s nearly three decades of service, noting his role in shaping the baseball operations department. In his departure statement, Forst highlighted his 11-year stint as GM and his 27 total years with the club. He arrived at the start of the "Moneyball" era and remained through the team's transition from Oakland to Sacramento. The franchise must now navigate the final stages of its relocation without the executive who was long expected to shepherd the three-year transition process.