What Athletics’ John Fisher takes away from low-payroll World Series matchup

Athletics owner John Fisher and newly hired president of baseball operations Taylor Smith reacted to the low-payroll Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays reaching the 2026 World Series. Fisher praised both organizations for directing resources toward player development and operations rather than major payroll spending. He noted that both franchises have shown an ability to maximize performance from their rosters despite having payrolls ranking 19th and 29th in MLB.

Smith, a former Rays executive, pointed out that both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay succeed by prioritizing talent acquisition, player development, and in-game tactical deployment. While Fisher acknowledged that spending provides advantages, both executives emphasized how small-market teams remain competitive through drafting and identifying undervalued talent.