Athletics hire Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations

The Athletics hired 31-year-old Taylor Smith as their new president of baseball operations on Monday. Smith previously served as the senior vice president and assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox following a seven-year stint with the Tampa Bay Rays. He will take charge of the front office during the club's final season in West Sacramento, California, as the franchise prepares for its relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.

Smith's appointment arrives two months after the Athletics mutually parted ways with former general manager David Forst, who had led baseball operations since 2015 before Dan Feinstein stepped in as interim GM. Athletics owner John Fisher praised Smith's expertise in player development and performance evaluation. The franchise finished the 2026 season with a 64-98 record, marking their fifth consecutive losing campaign without a postseason appearance since 2020.