Athletics bet on youth with 31-year-old Taylor Smith to lead baseball operations

The Athletics have appointed 31-year-old Taylor Smith as their president of baseball operations. Smith, the youngest person in his role for a major league team, has been with the Tampa Bay Rays for seven years and the Boston Red Sox for the past two seasons. John Fisher, the Athletics' owner, believes Smith's youthful energy and fresh perspective will help lead the team back into contention and prepare for their scheduled move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Fisher acknowledged that Smith's lack of prior experience is an asset, as it indicates his willingness to try new things. Smith's previous roles included overseeing the Red Sox's research department, which focused on analytics, and having a significant role in player personnel. The Athletics' pitching staff struggled last year, as evidenced by a 5.51 ERA, which was the second-worst in the league.

Smith is confident that the team's pitching staff will improve in the coming year. With the Athletics' young core of players like Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Lawrence Butler, Smith sees this as an opportunity to build a compelling team. Smith also expressed excitement about working for a team that is moving to a new home in Las Vegas, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Manager Mark Kotsay, who has a home in Las Vegas, will discuss his plans with Smith during a dinner on Tuesday. Kotsay hopes to address several priorities, including filling out the coaching staff, improving player development, and upgrading the pitching depth.