MLB tells Athletics to consider relocating if plans for new ballpark fall through

Major League Baseball instructed the Athletics to explore relocation options as the team tries to secure a new waterfront ballpark it hopes will keep the club in Oakland long-term.

MLB on Tuesday expressed its long-time determination that the current Coliseum site is “not a viable option for the future vision of baseball.”

“MLB is concerned with the rate of progress on the A’s new ballpark effort with local officials and other stakeholders in Oakland,” MLB said.

“The A’s have worked very hard to advance a new ballpark in downtown Oakland for the last four years, investing significant resources while facing multiple roadblocks. We know they remain deeply committed to succeeding in Oakland, and with two other sports franchises recently leaving the community, their commitment to Oakland is now more important than ever.”

A’s president Dave Kaval remains hopeful of a deal, but there is a time crunch.

“We’re going to immediately start working with the league on exploring other markets and working hand in hand with them to identify which ones make the most sense and pursuing that right away,” he said.

“We need to keep our options open. People know we can’t even keep the lights on here at the Coliseum.”

In November, 2018, the A’s announced they had found a waterfront location for their new ballpark that would cost more than US$1-billion.

The goal had been to open in 2023, but now, even if approved by Oakland’s City Council this summer, it would not be ready until 2027.

“We’re hopeful that our really exciting plan for a waterfront ballpark that’s privately financed will be taken up by the city council,” Kaval said.

“I think it’s something that is kind of a once-a-generational opportunity to reimagine the waterfront. We’re going to continue to pursue that and we’re still hopeful that that could get approved, but we have to be realistic about where we are with the timelines.”

Early this year, Kaval asked the city council to make a decision by vote before it breaks for the summer on a US$12-billion privately funded ballpark project and major community development plan featuring US$450-million in community benefits, but the team has been given no indication anything is imminent.

The team’s lease at the Coliseum is up in 2024, but the aging venue where the A’s have played since 1968 is already having lighting and flooding issues.

The A’s are hopeful MLB’s pressure might help push that process with the city.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has mentioned as possible expansion candidates: Charlotte, N.C.; Las Vegas; Montreal; Nashville, Tennessee; Portland; and Vancouver.

The Athletics have moved twice since the franchise was founded in Philadelphia, arriving in Kansas City for the 1955 season and in Oakland for the 1968 season.