Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Taylor Smith Emerges as Front-Runner for Athletics GM Job
The Athletics are looking for a new general manager after parting ways with David Forst on Aug.
7.
They offered the top baseball operations role to Sam Fuld, a former Athletics player who is now the Phillies’ president of business operations, but he turned it down last week.
The team is now reportedly focused on Red Sox executive Taylor Smith for its GM position.
Smith is a senior vice-president and assistant general manager in Boston, after starting his career in the Tampa Bay Rays’ research and development department in 2018.
Smith may have the inside track over Cardinals assistant GM Rob Cerfolio, who is expected to remain in St. Louis.
The Athletics have also considered several other candidates, including their own assistant GM Billy Owens and former Astros GM James Click.
The Athletics have not announced a hire, and Smith’s reported lead does not confirm he will get the job.
The Athletics may be focusing on Red Sox senior vice president and assistant general manager Taylor Smith for their general manager job.
Smith interviewed with the Athletics nearly a month ago.
Phillies business operations president Sam Fuld rejected an offer to become the Athletics’ president of baseball operations last week.
Cardinals assistant general manager Rob Cerfolio, previously reported as a finalist alongside Smith, is expected to stay in St. Louis.
The Athletics have been seeking a new front office leader since parting with longtime general manager David Forst on Aug. 7.
- Who
- Taylor Smith, a Red Sox senior vice president and assistant general manager, may be the front-runner for the Athletics’ general manager job.
- What
- The Athletics are seeking a new general manager and are reportedly focused on Smith.
- When
- The report was published Oct. 17, 2026. Smith interviewed nearly a month earlier.
- Where
- The Athletics are based in the United States; Smith works for the Boston Red Sox.
- Why
- The Athletics are seeking a successor after parting with longtime general manager David Forst.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Smith began his career as an analyst in the Rays’ research and development department.
The Athletics parted with longtime general manager David Forst.
Smith interviewed with the Athletics.
Sam Fuld rejected an offer to become the Athletics’ president of baseball operations.
Smith and Rob Cerfolio were reported as finalists for the Athletics’ general manager job.
- Potential front-runner
- Taylor Smith
- Current role
- Red Sox senior vice president and assistant general manager
- Vacancy began
- Aug. 7, when the Athletics parted with David Forst
- Other reported finalist
- Rob Cerfolio, Cardinals assistant general manager
- Smith’s first baseball role
- Rays research and development analyst in 2018
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