After a promising start, the Athletics have sunk to the bottom of the American League West Division. At 26-42, their minus-118 run differential is the second-worst in MLB, behind only the Colorado Rockies, who are on pace to have the worst season in baseball history.
Many of the Athletics’ struggles have been attributed to their home ballpark. However, a new report makes it seem like the move to Las Vegas could be inching closer.
Athletics Are Planning an Announcement Regarding Las Vegas Stadium
Athletics insider Jason Burke reports that the team will hold a ceremony on June 23 to announce their progress towards building a stadium in Las Vegas. Burke notes, however, that there is still much skepticism surrounding the team’s ability to build a stadium in Las Vegas.
There are legitimate questions regarding whether the team will be able to secure enough funding to move forward.
The Athletics played 57 seasons at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before announcing the team’s relocation to Las Vegas. The Athletics reached a deal to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, for the next three seasons until the relocation is complete.
“It’s strange to me you bring a major league team to Sacramento and you don’t bring the major league grounds crew.” -Orioles broadcast pic.twitter.com/rGmlOyAa3h
— Last Dive Bar 🏟 (@LastDiveBar) June 8, 2025
Sutter Health Park is a Triple-A ballpark that has been home to the Sacramento River Cats since it was built in 2000.
Multiple Athletics players and opposing players have expressed frustration at playing there. The team signed starting pitcher Luis Severino to the largest contract in franchise history. He’s even declared that Sutter Health simply isn’t a big-league ballpark.
Severino has been outright miserable pitching at Sutter Health Park. He’s posted a 7.10 ERA there, compared to a 0.87 ERA on the road. Opposing hitters are smashing pitches from him into the air at a nearly 60%, which would be his highest rate since 2019.
There’s been a lot of frustration throughout MLB regarding the advantages for hitters at the ballpark. Often-windy conditions make it easy to hit home runs as the winds can carry routine fly balls over the fence.
Moon shot. pic.twitter.com/OGLurBHoVV
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 8, 2025
There have also been frustrations about the speed of the grass, turning singles into extra-base hits because of how fast the surface is for batters.
Jeffrey Springs, another key offseason acquisition to the Athletics’ starting rotation, has a 5.51 ERA at home and a 3.95 ERA on the road. Closer Mason Miller, who many believed was on the verge of becoming one of the best closers in the sport last year, has struggled this season with a 4.50 ERA at home and a 4.63 ERA overall.
It seems like the team will seek to modify the ballpark in the offseason since they are guaranteed to play at least two more years there.