The A’s have made another move to reshape their front office, bringing in Cam Castro as general manager just more than two weeks after Smith’s hiring.
Castro, 36, comes over from the Brewers, where he spent the past two seasons as senior vice president of player development and performance. Milwaukee’s run as the reigning World Series champion gives the A’s a fresh voice from a winning operation, and Castro’s rise inside that organization was fast. He joined the Brewers in 2019 as a Minor League pitching coach, then moved up to Minor League pitching coordinator and director of pitching development from 2020-21 before being promoted to vice president of player development in ’22.
His background is rooted in pitching, dating back to his work as a throwing trainer at Driveline Baseball in 2016. For an A’s club that finished 64-98, that part of his résumé matters. Pitching is an obvious area of need, and Castro arrives with the kind of development experience that could help shape that side of the roster.
The hire also marks another step in the organization’s transition under Smith, as the A’s prepare for their final season at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento before moving to a new ballpark in Las Vegas. That stadium is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2028.
Castro said, “I'm beyond thankful to John Fisher, Taylor Smith, Ross Bowen and the entire Athletics organization for this opportunity,” Castro said. “The A's are a historic franchise with an incredible legacy. I look forward to being a part of the next chapter of A's baseball and developing a team, culture, and organization that our fans will be proud of.”
Smith made clear why Castro was the choice, saying, “Cam will be an awesome addition to the front office and a great partner to me in running this organization,” Smith said. “He has experiences and skillsets that will complement me and the very talented people that we already have in the organization. He's one of the best development minds in the game with a proven track record of building the systems and processes that develop a winner.”
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As Enter A Crucial Offseason With Two Huge Questions Ahead
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There is also a bigger backdrop hanging over the winter. MLB owners, including Athletics owner John Fisher, remain at odds with the Players Association over a proposed salary cap system, and the sport is again staring at labor uncertainty as the current deal runs toward its Dec. 1 expiration. If no new agreement is reached, the offseason could quickly shift from roster-building to labor-watch, a familiar and unwelcome layer of tension for teams trying to map out their plans. [Read more 🡒]
As New Front Office May Already Be Eyeing A Big Outfield Shakeup
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One name now circulating in that conversation is Jarren Duran, whose 2026 season fell well short of the standard he set in earlier years. For Oakland, the attraction is obvious: a player with a track record of impact who could fit into a reshaped outfield. The complication is just as obvious, since making room for another regular in center or left could force the As to consider moving Lawrence Butler, and nothing official has been decided yet. [Read more 🡒]