A's GM Castro points to $2.1 billion ballpark as key recruiting tool

Cam Castro arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday to begin his role as general manager for the Oakland Athletics. The 36-year-old executive previously served as a key figure in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, which captured the World Series championship last year. He will report directly to Taylor Smith, who was named president of baseball operations in October.

Castro stated that the upcoming stadium project was a primary reason he accepted the position. The new venue is under construction along the Las Vegas Strip with a total cost of $2.1 billion. It is scheduled to open for the 2028 Major League Baseball season. The lower levels of the building will house advanced training and recovery facilities.

"A ton," Castro said during a news conference on Thursday when asked about the influence of the stadium. He noted that the architectural model behind him looked impressive. He predicted the building would generate excitement for the local community, the league, and the players who will work there daily.

Smith, 31, joined the A's from the Boston Red Sox. He shared a similar view on the market appeal of Southern Nevada. In October, Smith described the move as an opportunity to energize a new fan base. He identified the ability to live in the area year-round and the local golf scene as strong selling points for free agents.

The desert climate also played a role in Castro's decision. He contrasted the local weather with the approaching winter in Milwaukee. "It's November, so it's going to be snowing at my house in Milwaukee soon, so that helped a lot," Castro said. He mentioned spending considerable time in the Phoenix area during spring training with the Brewers.

Castro said he hopes his family will be comfortable in the region for the long term. He described his first 16 hours in the community as amazing. He is currently learning more about local residents and the area.

Both executives heard discussions about the Las Vegas project from other teams before finalizing their hires. Smith noted that the stadium designs suggest a shift in the economic potential for the franchise. He called the move exciting for the organization as a whole.

Castro and Smith plan to increase their workload next week during the annual Major League Baseball general managers meeting. The event will be held in Las Vegas. The two men first met last year at this same conference. Castro said his prior knowledge of Smith's reputation and their subsequent conversations made the hiring decision straightforward.

The Athletics front office aims to leverage these new assets to build a competitive roster. Castro and Smith will lead these efforts as they prepare for the upcoming baseball cycle.