The Athletics are in the middle of one of the most unique transitions in recent MLB history – and it’s happening under the bright skies of Sacramento. After spending the 2025 season calling Sutter Health Park home, the A’s are set to remain in California’s capital for two more years while their new ballpark rises on the Las Vegas Strip. According to team owner John Fisher, construction is moving along smoothly – maybe even a little ahead of schedule.
“I’d like to say we’re ahead of schedule because I actually think we are a little bit,” Fisher said in an update shared by Vegas sports reporter Nick Walters. “I like to be conservative about where we are but we’re on time.”
That’s encouraging news for a franchise that’s been through plenty of turbulence in recent years. After failing to reach a deal to stay at the Oakland Coliseum – their home for over half a century – the A’s packed up and began the road to Vegas, with Sacramento serving as a temporary stopover. But while the stadium situation continues to evolve, the product on the field is starting to take shape.
The 2025 season ended with a 76-86 record – not playoff-caliber, but a step forward for a team in full rebuild mode. More importantly, it was a season that gave fans a glimpse of the future.
First baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Jacob Wilson, both former first-round picks, started to show why the front office is so high on them. Kurtz brings a big bat to the middle of the order, while Wilson has flashed the kind of defensive instincts and bat-to-ball skills that could make him a long-term anchor at short.
And they’re not alone. The lineup is quietly becoming one of the more intriguing young cores in the league.
Brent Rooker, now a veteran presence in the clubhouse, has turned into a legitimate power threat since joining the franchise during its Oakland days. He continues to be a force in the designated hitter role, providing stability and pop in the heart of the order.
Around him, the youth movement is in full swing. Catcher Shea Langeliers is growing into his role behind the plate, both as a defender and a developing bat.
Right fielder Lawrence Butler adds athleticism and upside to the outfield. There’s still work to be done, but the A’s are starting to build an identity – one rooted in power, youth, and potential.
Of course, no rebuild is complete without addressing the pitching staff, and that’s where the biggest question marks remain. After dealing electric-armed closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline last season, the bullpen is in need of reinforcements. The rotation, while showing flashes, lacks a true veteran stabilizer – someone who can eat innings, mentor the younger arms, and keep the team competitive during the inevitable rough patches of a long season.
The front office has time, but not forever. By the time the A’s officially open the doors to their new Vegas home in 2028, the hope is that this roster will be ready to compete – not just for respectability, but for something bigger.
The foundation is being laid now, both on the field and in the desert. Whether that turns into a contender or just another chapter in a long rebuild will depend on what they do between now and Opening Day in Las Vegas.
One thing’s for sure: the A’s aren’t standing still. With a core of promising young talent, a few established veterans, and a brand-new stadium on the horizon, this franchise is at a turning point. Sacramento may be a temporary home, but the next two seasons will go a long way in determining what kind of team walks into Vegas in 2028 – one ready to shine under the lights, or one still searching for its footing.
