Tag: Sacramento A’s

Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: All of sudden A’s in the chips with Severino signing and covering Vegas ballpark costs

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Luis Severino A’s pitcher (right) who signed for a two year $67 million deal shakes hands with A’s general manager David Forst (left) at the Severino press conference at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Fri Dec 10, 2024 (Athletics X photo)

On the Athletics relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 A’s owner John Fisher who has owned the A’s for 20 years and had signed pitcher Luis Severino to the largest contract since they had third baseman Eric Chavez. Severino signed for two years at $67 million. In 2004 Chavez had a six year deal with the A’s worth $66 million.

#2 The criticism about the Severino deal is that the A’s and the city of Oakland back in 2023 couldn’t reach a deal for Howard Terminal which fell some $36 million short for it to close the deal but the A’s were able to find the money to sign Severino for $67 million this month.

#3 It was pointed out that Fisher said of the reasons to move the A’s was that the attendance was horrible, nobody shows up, it’s the ballpark, and now they have to play in a minor league park in Sacramento but they couldn’t afford to pay the City of Oakland $90 million to play their remaining three interim years at the Oakland Coliseum before moving to Vegas.

#4 Also the A’s who originally were to pay $1.5 billion for the construction costs for the Vegas ballpark those costs have gone up to $1.75 billion and that cost could go up even further to $2 billion. It’s amazing what can happen if the A’s need to get something but couldn’t find the money for Howard Terminal?

#5 What about Commissioner Rob Manfred was he duped thinking the A’s had no money for Howard Terminal therefore they could get some love from the State of Nevada in public funding to build the park but who’d a thunk the A’s found funding with the Severino deal and covering their Vegas ballpark costs all this month?

Join Daniel Dullum Sundays for the A’s relocation podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s most expensive player; Severino signs 3 year deal worth $67 million

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino signs with the Sacramento A’s for three years in a deal worth $67 million on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (AP file photo)

A’s most expensive player

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Ex-New York Yankee pitcher Luis Severino agreed to a 3-year, $67 million contract with the Oakland A’s. The A’s made franchise history with their most expensive signing. This surpasses Eric Chávez’s 2004 contract of 6 years and $66 million in 2004.

Severino, a nine-year veteran born in the Dominican Republic, will become the number one starter for the A’s rotation in 2025. Luis Severino’s best season with the Yankees was 2018, when he ended with a 19-8 record and 3.39 ERA, starting 31 games and 191 innings.

Other popular Latino players with the A’s,(Cubans both) José Canseco had a five year contract with Oakland A’s for $23 million and Yoenis Céspedes, who began his career in Oakland, but made all his money later with other teams specially signing a $110 million deal with the New York Mets. He was a very popular player with Oakland A’s fans, but for some inexplicable reason(maybe money) the A’s let him go.

Severino is an  established pitcher who the team hopes can help other younger pitchers to support a good nucleus of young players. Some of those younger position players have been mentioned by other teams, but the A’s want to keep them as a winning group.

The A’s were interested in pitcher Walker Buehler from the LA Dodgers, but according to manager Mark Kotsay, Buehler did not show much interest leaving the World Champion Dodgers going to Sacramento. The deal would surpass the club’s previous most lucrative contract it gave out to Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004

A’s have financial house in order, ready to come up with $1.75 billion for ballpark construction costs

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas ballpark rendering. A’s are hoping for completion of stadium in April 2028 opening day. (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg

In a meeting Thursday with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority the Sacramento A’s soon to be the Las Vegas A’s in 2028 have come up with the financing of their share of the construction costs to pay for their Tropicana Las Vegas Strip ballpark which should be ready to go opening day 2028.

The Las Vegas Authority is expected to approve a 30 years lease on the A’s non relocation and development that consisted of four documents that should be the last step to clear the way to get shovels in the ground at the intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd.

Clark County will continue to discuss a develop agreement otherwise the target to begin groundbreaking in spring 2025. Both Clark County and the State of Nevada are going forward with SB1 public funding for the ballpark at the cost of $380 billion, the A’s say they will spend $350 million to build the 30,000 seat armadillo looking ballpark.

The State of Nevada will not spend the $380 million until the A’s have put in $100 million. So for the A’s have invested $40 million. The deadline to meet the construction costs for the A’s share was due Thursday which they cleared in their meeting with the Stadium Authority.

Sandy Dean an A’s executive whose been a spokesman for owner John Fisher at previous Stadium Authority meetings said that Fisher’s family have increased their construction pledge to $1.1 billion. Dean said that Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank will loan the A’s $300 million towards the development.

The four documents that Dean presented to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority are: #1 A loan commitment from both banks. #2 Fisher and his family have the ability to meet their financial pledge. #3 The commitments to Athletics StadCo LLC, an entity created to handle the private capital investment. #4 U.S. Bank’s review of the owner’s finances backs up that Fisher has the money in place.

Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg cover A’s baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary–In 2025 Ohtani will Not visit Sacramento

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani nor the Los Angeles Dodgers will not be appearing at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento against the Sacramento A’s during the 2025 season (USA Today file photo)

In 2025 Ohtani will Not visit Sacramento

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Baseball’s biggest star and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player, Shohei Ohtani, will not visit the A’s in Sacramento in 2025. The three-time MVP and World Champion is on pace to return to the mound and pitch next season.

The Athletics will only play the Dodgers one time in 2025, at Dodger Stadium on May 13,14 and 15, and that is the only opportunity that an Athletics fan will have to see their team vs. Ohtani.

However, the Dodgers and Giants will play six (6) games next season, three at Dodger Stadium on June 13,14,15 and three more in San Francisco’s Oracle Park on July 11,12,13. If you are “into Ohtani stuff” and live in Northern California, you could visit San Francisco to watch the spectacle and do not need to spend the money and time to visit LA at a Stadium where it is not easy to find a ticket for a game, at Dodger Stadium where their home attendance is average 50,000 per game.

The world’s #1 baseball star is usually followed by a cadre of reporters wherever the Dodgers travel, from international and domestic writers, newspapers, and social media to radio and television. During the Major League season, it doesn’t matter if the Dodgers are at home or on the road; Japan is fascinated with ‘everything Ohtani,’ and in 2025, there will be even much more coverage of the superstar as he is scheduled to be a part of his team’s starting rotation.

The much-anticipated return to the mound of this baseball mega-star should be one of the biggest stories next season. Ohtani had his first Tommy John surgery in 2018 and a second Tommy John surgery in 2023.

Note: This is the way the 2025 schedule is set for the Athletics and the Dodgers; it is not like Ohtani said, “I do not want to visit Sacramento” サクラメントには行きたくない

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Former Brave Rico Carty dead at 85; Orioles to move in fences for 25 season; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Atlanta Braves honored Rico Carty with a tribute and photo. Carty played in the big leagues from 1963-1979 (image from the Atlanta Braves)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Atlanta Braves great Rico Carty has passed away at the age of 85. Carty played in the majors in 1963 the year he broke in with the Milwaukee Braves before retiring in 1979 with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 1970 Carty led the National League in hitting with a .366. The Dominican paper Listin Diario said Carty’s friend informed the paper of Carty’s death at 85 years old.

#2 Camden Yards and the Baltimore Orioles have announced that they have moved in the fences 20 feet in for the 2025 season. In 2022 the Orioles moved the fences back something that made the pitching staff appreciate. Prior to the 2022 season the hitters loved to tee off at Camden and in 2025 they can love that opportunity again.

#3 The San Francisco Giants have signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a one year deal for the 2025 season at $9.25 million. The Giants also tendered contracts for first baseman LeMonte Wade, closer Camilo Doval, and releiver Tyler Rogers. How important is it for the Giants to secure those players.

#4 Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that free agent and former Los Angeles Dodger Walker Buehler declined to sign with the A’s citing that he didn’t not want to play in Sacramento a triple A minor league park. After playing in the number 2 TV market in baseball Buehler wanted to stay clear of Sacramento which he considers a minor league park.

#5 Also MLB players have indicated that they do not like the idea of playing in Sacramento because of it’s small space, that Sacramento is just a temporary home for the A’s, the clubhouses for the A’s and visiting teams are being built as a two story facility, there is no tunnel from the dugouts to the clubhouse for the players like other big league parks. The only consolation the players got out of going to Sacramento they will play on natural turf as opposed to artificial turf.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Dodgers Walker Buehler Walks away from A’s offer; Minor League park will keep big signings away

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Free agent and former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Walker Buehler delivers against the New York Mets in game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Oct 16, 2024. Buehler recently was offered to negotiate with the A’s but declined the offer on Thu Nov 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Last Thursday Los Angeles Dodgers free agent pitcher Walker Buehler express no interest at all in pitching for the Sacramento A’s as acknowledged by A’s manager Mark Kotsay. Although Buehler didn’t say it that he would not want to sign up to play in a minor league park for multiple years.

#2 This considering Buehler had a rough 2024 season with 5.38 ERA with a 2.29 strike out to walk ratio. In spite of the opportunity from the A’s it was “thanks but no thanks” from the veteran pitcher.

#3 Just talking about other free agents how many will stay away from signing with the A’s and for the future of the A’s how many players will stay away because of low salaries and the A’s reputation for not being competitive.

#4 This whole idea of playing in a small minor league park, in a small market TV 20th in the country and it gets even worse when they move to Vegas they will be in the 40th size TV market the smallest in baseball do you agree that will keep players away?

#5 In spite of improvements to Sutter Health Ballpark with a two story clubhouse, putting bleachers in the right field grass area, new weight rooms, and modern facilities. It’s the whole concept of playing in a minor league facility there will still be a space problem no matter how hard the A’s and Sacramento River Cats try to improve it for MLB.

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rays repair damage $56 million to fix the Trop; West Sacramento would like to keep the A’s

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The roof of the Tropicana Field is damaged the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the region, Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Tampa Bay Rays are now being mentioned for relocation from Tampa Bay after having Tropicana Field destroyed by Hurricane Milton on October 9th. The damages for repair is estimated at $56 million and the Rays will play their 2025 season in the spring training home of the New York Yankees George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

#2 The move to Steinbrenner Field for the Rays puts them as the second big league club not to play in a Major League facility for the 2025 season as the A’s of Sacramento will be playing their home games in minor league park Sutter Health Park in 2025.

#3 The Rays are at a tough crossroads here as Tampa Bay Mayor Ken Welch wants to go ahead and repair the Trop but with the Rays getting a new stadium in 2029 they might end up playing their regular season games at George Steinbrenner Field until their new stadium is ready?

#4 The construction cost for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark at $1.5 billion is still yet to be seen. A’s owner John Fisher’s spokesperson Sandy Dean said recently at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting headed by Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce CEO Steven Hill that the Fisher Family will be putting up the $1.5 billion to cover their share of the construction costs. The bill to help supplement SB1 is due Dec 5th.

#5 Meanwhile until things are sorted out in Las Vegas, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero has said that West Sacramento can build a 40-50 thousand seat ballpark for the A’s by the Sacramento River Bridge. The A’s are focused on playing in Las Vegas after the 2027 season.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Mayor of West Sacramento is convinced city can build 40-50 thousand seat ballpark for A’s

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Rivercats owner Vivek Ranadive has welcomed A’s owner John Fisher at Sutter Health Park for the 2025-27 seasons before the team moves to Las Vegas (Sacramento Bee photo)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said that the City of West Sacramento can build a 40 to 50 thousand seat stadium along the Sacramento River and Mayor Guerrero said that she’s convinced that they can bring Major League Baseball to West Sacramento.

#2 Guerrero said that West Sacramento would like to work with the land owners near the river to see how they would like to shape it. They would help with the design and the city would help navigate with the existing land that they have.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher when he came up for the press conference in West Sacramento said that he mentioned West Sacramento as an interesting place to play ball. It’s something that the A’s would consider.

#4 The Tropicana in Las Vegas already has demoed the towers and is clearing the space for the ball park. What’s left is the John Fisher family to put together the $1 billion for the construction costs of the park. The deadline to make the construction cost payment is Dec 5th where the Las Vegas Stadium Authority will be holding a meeting.

#5 One thing to keep in mind the population contrast with Sacramento vs. West Sacramento is a huge gap. Sacramento’s population is 526,384 and West Sacramento’s population 55,842. Also to keep in mind West Sacramento is in Yolo County which is much smaller than Sacramento. With West Sacramento having the smaller population and less taxes coming in how would they pay for a ball park?

Join Daniel for the Oakland A’s podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary–The Improved Sacramento Park for the Athletics 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sutter Health Park Sacramento from behind outfield grass view. The future interim home of the Athletics for 2025-2027. (photo by the Sacramento Rivercats)

The Improved Sacramento Park for the Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

1-Although it was said Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento was originally planned to have artificial turf, that didn’t happen because the players and agents raised concerns about the heat and potential for injury. It will be natural grass.

2-A new clubhouse. It will be a two-story clubhouse located beyond the left field wall. There will be a dressing room, gym, training room, dining room.kitchen and, of course, Batting cages.

3-For Fans. The Gilt-Edge Club, an open-air lounge located in the right field, a private bar with complimentary beer and wine, hot dog, and nacho stations.

4-Premium seating. The Tower View tables and Diamond View Dugout offer VIP entrance, complimentary welcome drinks, and in-seat service

5-Television. Camera capabilities were improved to provide major league quality broadcasts.

6-Regular media, baseball writers, radio AND television reporters. TBD.

7-Schedule. Because of the heat in Sacramento, the A’s are expected to play most of their games at night.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Eovaldi walks away from $20 million and Rangers declares free agency; Cole and Yanks settle on not changing the contract; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will be seeking greener pastures as Eovaldi has declined the $20 million offer by the Rangers and will not return for the 2025 season and will declare free agency and seek a new club. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Texas Rangers Two time All Star starter RHP Nathan Eovaldi became a free agent on Monday. Eovaldi declined a vested $20 million player option with the Rangers for next season. Eovaldi will get a $2 million buyout. In 2023 Eovaldi pitched in the deciding game that landed the Rangers the World Series Championship. Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.85 ERA in the 2023 post season.

# 2 New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole was prepared to leave after asking for a $36 million extension that would raise his contract from $140 million to $180 million. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Cole sat down and hashed things out. It was agreed upon that both sides wanted to stay in New York so it was agreed that there would be no extension raise and Cole would finish out his current contract as a Yankee.

#3 Amaury, 13 players are getting qualifying offers which includes the Yankees Juan Soto as free agency began on Monday. Soto hit .288, 166 hits, 41 homers, and 109 RBIs. No doubt Soto will be well sought after if he ever hits the market but like Cole he might want to stay in New York too.

#4 Two San Francisco Giants were awarded the Golden Glove Awards third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey both had a superb season at their respective positions.

#5 The former Oakland Athletics released brand new guidelines and saying they will be referred to as the Athletics or A’s not the Sacramento A’s where they will be playing for the next three years at Sutter Health Park. The A’s are foregoing any mention of Sacramento and do not want fans to be confused with any city name because they have already vacated Oakland and eventually will vacate Sacramento in 2028.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradiioservice.com every Tuesday