New A's GM Castro cites Las Vegas stadium in hiring
The 36-year-old executive, hired Wednesday, says the $2.1 billion facility and desert climate were primary reasons for leaving Milwaukee.
By Eric Collins ·
Cam Castro became the general manager of the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, ending a search that ended with a 36-year-old executive taking the helm of a franchise preparing for a major move.
Castro joined the club after helping the Milwaukee Brewers secure a World Series championship. He reported directly to Taylor Smith, the 31-year-old president of baseball operations who joined the A's in October.
During his introductory news conference on Thursday, Castro identified the team's new stadium as a central part of his decision-making process. The facility, currently under construction along the Las Vegas Strip, will cost $2.1 billion. It is scheduled to open for the 2028 season.
Castro described the building's lower level, which will house advanced training and recovery areas, as a major draw. He viewed the structure as a tool for generating excitement within the league and among the local community.
"Looking at it (the ballpark model) behind us here, it looks insane," Castro said. "So I think it's going to create a ton of buzz and excitement, not only for the community here and for the industry and the league, but for the players who get to walk into work there every day."
The Las Vegas Valley climate also played a role in the hiring. Castro noted that his home in Milwaukee would soon see snowfall, while his previous visits to Southern Nevada included time spent in residential areas and exploring the region's golf options.
"I've spent a lot of time in the desert," Castro said. "I think it's a place where my family is going to be really comfortable and really happy, hopefully for a long time."
Smith, who previously worked with the Boston Red Sox, agreed that the new market and stadium design would alter the economic landscape for the franchise. He described the move as an opportunity to energize a new fan base and attract free agents to a location where they can live year-round.
"I think you see what the stadium designs look like; you have an understanding of how the market might change some of the economics for the franchise," Smith said. "It's just a really exciting move in a lot of ways for the organization."
Castro and Smith met last year during Major League Baseball's annual general managers meetings, which are scheduled to be held in Las Vegas next week. Castro described the hiring process as straightforward after their initial conversations and continued discussions during the search.
