The House Always Wins Media Network | A’s Baseball Podcasts

DID THE GIANTS HELP DRIVE THE A'S OUT OF THE BAY AREA? OR DID CITY LEADERS FAIL TO KEEP THE TEAM? The A's are headed to Las Vegas, but the arguments over how we got here aren't going away. On this episode of THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT SIX, Booney welcomes longtime A's fan Raymond Bourg for an unfiltered conversation about the past, present, and future of the franchise. And Raymond isn't afraid to challenge the popular narrative. From Tony La Russa's championship teams to the failed stadium proposals in Fremont, San Jose, and Howard Terminal, we're examining decades of decisions that helped shape the A's future. THE STADIUM CONTROVERSY Did the Giants' territorial rights prevent the A's from building in San Jose? Did the city and Alameda County fail to deliver on Howard Terminal? How much responsibility belongs to John Fisher? And why might the Braves' Truist Park development offer an important lesson for Las Vegas? THE BASEBALL PROBLEM The A's have completed five consecutive losing seasons. Is Mark Kotsay the right manager for this young roster? Where is the clubhouse leadership? Why has developing pitching become such an important organizational challenge? And how much longer should fans be expected to wait for meaningful baseball? ENTER TAYLOR SMITH At just 31 years old, Taylor Smith takes over baseball operations with experience from the Rays and Red Sox. Raymond brings a unique perspective. He lives in Cherokee County, Georgia, where Smith grew up and attended Creekview High School. We discuss Smith's background, the challenges facing the A's minor league system, the importance of scouting and coaching, and why organizational development may matter more than another expensive free-agent signing. THE 2027 MLB LABOR SHOWDOWN Could another MLB lockout be coming? We examine the battle over a potential salary cap, the luxury tax, player salaries, and what prolonged labor negotiations could mean for the A's as they prepare for their move to Las Vegas. THE BIG QUESTION: Can the A's finally build a competitive baseball organization before their new ballpark opens, or will fans be asked to endure another season of promises? This isn't about defending ownership or defending politicians. It's about understanding what happened, what needs to change, and what comes next. FOLLOW THE MONEY. UNDERSTAND THE GAME. 🎙️ THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT SIX An original production of The House Always Wins Media Network. FOLLOW THE NETWORK YouTube: @dailypodcastonlasvegasas Instagram: @housealwayswinsnetwork TikTok: @housealwayswinsnetwork X: @lasvegasaspod Podbean: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/p/our-shows/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Who deserves the most responsibility for the A's departure: the Giants, city and county officials, or A's ownership? And what must Taylor Smith accomplish in 2027 to restore your confidence? Let us know in the comments. #Athletics #LasVegasAthletics #TaylorSmith

ARE THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS RUINING BASEBALL?! The Milwaukee Brewers have officially become a threat to everything Major League Baseball apparently stands for. They developed players. Made intelligent trades. Managed their payroll. Won 103 games. And then had the audacity to win the 2026 WORLD SERIES! And they did it with MLB's 19th-ranked tax payroll. Absolutely disgraceful. For years, baseball fans have complained about teams spending too much money to win. Now Milwaukee has demonstrated that you can apparently win a championship without spending nearly enough. Where does this madness end? Tonight on THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT 6:00, Booney examines the deeply disturbing possibility that the Milwaukee Brewers are ruining baseball through competent organizational management. We'll examine: ⚾ Milwaukee's 2026 World Series championship. ⚾ The financial scandal of winning with MLB's 19th-ranked tax payroll. ⚾ How the Brewers built a championship roster through scouting, player development, and intelligent acquisitions. ⚾ Why Milwaukee's success creates uncomfortable questions for MLB ownership. ⚾ The difference between financial efficiency and financial neglect. ⚾ What the Brewers' championship means for the A's and their future in Las Vegas. ⚾ Why baseball apparently can't decide whether spending money or saving money is the proper way to win. And perhaps the most disturbing possibility of all... What happens if other MLB organizations start making intelligent baseball decisions? THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT 6:00 A House Always Wins Media Network Original. Hosted by Booney. FOLLOW THE MONEY. UNDERSTAND THE GAME. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📺 WATCH MORE FROM OUR NETWORK ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Subscribe for independent baseball analysis, A's coverage, baseball economics, player development, organizational strategy, and original sports commentary. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌐 CONNECT WITH THE NETWORK ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/housealwayswinsnetwork/ 🎵 TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@housealwayswinsnetwork 𝕏 X: https://x.com/lasvegasaspod 🎙️ PODBEAN — ALL OUR SHOWS: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/p/our-shows/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS MEDIA NETWORK Independent voices. Original perspectives. Baseball without the sugarcoating. #MilwaukeeBrewers #WorldSeries2026 #MLB #Baseball #TheSixthInning

The future of the A's is taking shape, and some of the organization's biggest potential breakout stars might be players you've barely heard of! Welcome to SOLAR SOX SPOTLIGHT: THE A'S FALL LEAGUE REPORT, a House Always Wins Media Network Original, featuring special guest Bill Moriarty, Editor-in-Chief of A's Farm. One of the most knowledgeable voices covering the A's minor league system joins Booney for an extensive conversation about the Arizona Fall League, the organization's most promising young prospects, overlooked sleepers, and what lies ahead under new general manager Taylor Smith. WHO WILL BE THE A'S NEXT BREAKOUT STAR? Bill goes beyond the prospect rankings to identify intriguing players who could make significant moves in 2027. From Cole Kahn and Ali Camarillo to Tucker Novotny, Zane Taylor, and Johenssy Colome, we examine the players flying under the radar and what could push them into the national conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: ⚾ THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: What can we learn from the A's prospects competing for the Mesa Solar Sox? Which performances actually matter? ⚾ THE CATCHERS OF THE FUTURE: Cole Conn and Davis Diaz are turning heads. Could either eventually become a major league contributor? ⚾ THE NEXT BREAKOUT STARS: Bill identifies Cole Conn and Ali Camarillo as two overlooked names worth watching. ⚾ JOHENSSY COLOME: What makes this young shortstop intriguing, and how much can we really learn from Dominican Summer League performance? ⚾ TUCKER NOVOTNY: A former 18th-round pick with strikeout potential. Could he become the next late-round pitching success story? ⚾ TAYLOR SMITH'S REVOLUTION: The A's have a new general manager. Will he overhaul scouting, player development, and the minor league operation? ⚾ THE PITCHING PROBLEM: Can Jamie Arnold, Zane Taylor, Steven Echevarria, and other young arms help change the organization's fortunes? ⚾ DEVIN TAYLOR: One of the most productive hitters in the system. Is he ready for the majors, and is there room for him in the A's outfield? ⚾ LEO DE VRIES & THE MASON MILLER TRADE: What lies ahead for De Vries, Henry Baez, and Braden Nett? ⚾ THE 2026 DRAFT CLASS: Mason Edwards, Drew Burress, Roman Martin, and Alex Sosa headline an intriguing group of young talent. We also discuss Gunnar Hoglund's health, Gustavo Rodriguez's opportunities, the importance of draft success, and how a potential MLB work stoppage could affect the future of the organization. ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Bill Moriarty is the Editor-in-Chief of A's Farm and has followed the A's since the 1970s. His extensive knowledge of the organization's minor league system, relationships throughout baseball, and passion for identifying overlooked talent make him one of the most valuable voices in A's prospect coverage. Follow Bill and A's Farm: Website: https://athleticsfarm.com X/Twitter: @AthleticsFarm Facebook: Athletics Farm JOIN THE CONVERSATION Who is YOUR breakout A's prospect for 2027? Is it Cole Kahn, Ali Camarillo, Tucker Novotny, Johenssy Colome, or somebody completely off the radar? Drop your pick in the comments! Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for original baseball coverage, in-depth prospect analysis, exclusive interviews, and conversations that go beyond the headlines. THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS MEDIA NETWORK Where the conversation never stops. #Athletics #AthleticsProspects #ArizonaFallLeague #AsFarm #BillMoriarty #MLBProspects #SolarSox #BaseballProspects #HouseAlwaysWins 00:00 Tucker Novotny: The Late-Round Sleeper 04:10 Taylor Smith's New Era Begins 07:35 Can the A's Fix Pitching Development? 10:11 Drafting vs. Player Development 14:58 Zane Taylor and the Future Rotation 16:33 Steven Echevarria's Breakout Potential 18:13 Jamie Arnold and the Draft Strategy 20:12 Arizona Fall League Report 21:35 Cole Kahn and Davis Diaz 24:22 Breyson Guedez: Don't Panic Yet 27:19 Leo De Vries and the Mason Miller Trade 30:00 Gustavo Rodriguez: Ready for His Shot? 31:21 Johenssy Colome: A Future Star? 33:56 2027 Sleepers: Cole Kahn and Ali Camarillo 37:24 The A's 2026 Draft Class 40:53 Leo De Vries Injury and Recovery 42:39 Devin Taylor's Road to the Majors 45:00 Could Lawrence Butler Be Traded? 47:29 How a Lockout Could Affect Prospects 50:15 Gunnar Hoglund's Future 51:51 Where to Follow A's Farm

INSIDE THE BOOTH Three Baseball Voices on Honesty, Preparation, and Why Radio Still Matters What makes a great baseball broadcaster? Is it the voice? The preparation? The ability to capture a moment? Or is it something deeper — the connection between the announcer and the fans who welcome that voice into their lives every night? In this exclusive House Always Wins Media Network Original, three respected baseball broadcasters come together for a conversation about the art, responsibility, and emotional power of calling America's pastime. 🎙️ KEN KORACH — A's Major League Broadcaster 🎙️ JESSE GOLDBERG-STRASSLER — 2026 Midwest League Broadcaster of the Year 🎙️ TIM FITZGERALD — Stockton Ports Broadcaster Hosted by Booney, INSIDE THE BOOTH explores the stories, experiences, and lessons that shape the voices behind the game. WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOOTH? 🎧 Finding Your Own Voice: Are broadcasters born with their style, or do they borrow from the legends who inspired them? 🎧 Performance vs. Conversation: Jesse explains why great broadcasting isn't about putting on a show — it's about having a conversation with someone who cares. 🎧 Preparation vs. Instinct: Ken and Tim discuss the countless hours of homework behind a natural-sounding broadcast — and why sometimes the most important thing is knowing when to put the notes away. 🎧 Honesty in the Booth: How do you tell fans the truth when their favorite team is struggling without humiliating the players or losing credibility? 🎧 The Calls That Stay With Us: Ken reflects on his call of the unforgettable 2001 Derek Jeter flip play and why being completely immersed in the moment matters. 🎧 What Is a Broadcaster's Job? Is it simply to describe the game, share an opinion, or make listeners feel what they're feeling? And perhaps the biggest question of all: Why does baseball radio still matter? From the influence of broadcasting legends to the challenge of covering developing players, this conversation goes beyond balls, strikes, and home runs. It's about authenticity. Credibility. Storytelling. And the voices that turn baseball into something personal. Because the best broadcasters don't just describe the game. They give you a reason to care. ⚾ Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for original baseball conversations, analysis, interviews, and storytelling. 👍 LIKE the video if baseball radio has ever been part of your life. 💬 COMMENT: Who is the baseball broadcaster whose voice you'll never forget? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for more exclusive House Always Wins Media Network programming. #InsideTheBooth #KenKorach #BaseballBroadcasting #Athletics #JesseGoldbergStrassler #TimFitzgerald #BaseballRadio #MLB #HouseAlwaysWins

Taylor Smith, the A's new President of Baseball Operations, faces a franchise-defining challenge: building a winning baseball team while preparing for the move to Las Vegas. In this episode of Where Stats Meet Instincts, a House Always Wins Media Network original, Sam examines the A's front-office leadership change, Taylor Smith's background with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, and whether his approach to analytics, scouting, player development, and roster construction could launch a new era of Moneyball. Can Smith build a championship contender around Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, and the A's emerging young talent? Will ownership provide the financial resources necessary to compete? This independent A's baseball podcast explores the decisions shaping the franchise's future, including the 2028 Las Vegas stadium plans, organizational strategy, and the challenge of building a sustainable winner. ABOUT HOUSE ALWAYS WINS MEDIA NETWORK House Always Wins Media Network delivers independent A's baseball podcasts covering breaking news, prospects, advanced statistics, player development, ownership, front-office decisions, and fan perspectives. Built by the fan. For the fan. 🎥 Watch our original A's baseball programming: https://www.youtube.com/@dailypodcastonlasvegasas 🎙️ Explore all eight original shows: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/p/our-shows/

⚾ NEW BUDGET BASEBALL WITH QUINLAN & SAMMY The A's helped revolutionize how baseball teams evaluate players. But that was then. What's next? The Brewers, Rays, Guardians, and Dodgers have shown that there isn't just one way to construct a competitive team. Quinlan and Sammy dig into what these organizations do differently, what baseball might be overlooking, and what Taylor Smith can learn as he takes over the A's baseball operations. And this conversation goes well beyond payroll. It's about player development, pitching, defensive value, plate discipline, and finding something other teams haven't figured out yet. Here's our question for you: If you could make the A's elite at ONE thing over the next three years, what would you choose—and why? Watch the episode and tell us what you think!

Did Billy Beane quietly influence the A's decision to hire Taylor Smith as their new president of baseball operations? The A's have made one of their most important front-office decisions in years, bringing in 31-year-old Taylor Smith from the Boston Red Sox. But behind the announcement lies a fascinating history connecting Billy Beane, Boston ownership, and the baseball executives who helped shape Smith's career. Welcome to THE SIXTH INNING: A'S NEWS AT SIX, with Booney, exclusively on the House Always Wins Media Network. Tonight, we're following the connections. In 2002, Red Sox ownership tried to lure Billy Beane to Boston. Nearly two decades later, Beane was involved in discussions surrounding an investment in Fenway Sports Group. And in 2026, the A's hired an executive from the very organization Beane has been connected to for more than 20 years. But does that history actually mean anything? We investigate: ⚾ THE HIRE — Why Taylor Smith emerged as the A's choice to lead baseball operations. ⚾ THE GHOST OF 2002 — Billy Beane, John Henry, and the Boston job that almost happened. ⚾ CONNECTING THE DOTS — Craig Breslow, Taylor Smith, the Red Sox, and the A's executive search. ⚾ THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN? — Could Beane have exercised influence without formally running the search? ⚾ THE CASE AGAINST THE THEORY — Six explanations that challenge our original hunch. ⚾ THE VERDICT — What the evidence proves, what remains speculation, and why the Beane connection may mean something very different than we initially suspected. This is a tongue-in-cheek baseball mystery built around real reporting and documented history. We are not alleging secret wrongdoing or claiming Beane influenced the hiring without evidence. The central question isn't simply whether Billy Beane helped hire Taylor Smith. It's whether Beane's influence on modern baseball has become so widespread that nobody needs his personal recommendation anymore. Join the conversation: Do you believe Billy Beane had a voice in the Taylor Smith hiring, or are we connecting dots that don't belong together? Subscribe to the House Always Wins Media Network for independent A's news, analysis, business reporting, prospect coverage, and commentary. THE SIXTH INNING: A'S NEWS AT SIX Hosted by Booney A House Always Wins Media Network Original Follow the money. Understand the game. #Athletics #BillyBeane #TaylorSmith

🚨🟢🟡 BREAKING A'S NEWS: TAYLOR SMITH IS THE NEW GM! NEW BOSS. NEW ERA. SAME BIG QUESTION: WILL JOHN FISHER LET HIM WIN? The speculation is OVER! The A's have hired Taylor Smith to lead their baseball operations, and we're going LIVE AT 8:00 AM PACIFIC to break it all down! From Tampa Bay's analytics machine to the Boston Red Sox front office, Smith brings a fascinating résumé. But now comes the hard part. ⚾ Why Taylor Smith over experienced championship-winning executives? ⚾ What does his hiring mean for Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Shea Langeliers, and the A's young core? ⚾ Can he fix a pitching staff that desperately needs help? 💰 And the MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: Will John Fisher give him the money to build a winner — or just another budget to manage? The A's don't need another guy who knows how to make a spreadsheet look pretty. They need somebody who knows how to build a championship team! 🎙️ LIVE THIS MORNING — 8:00 AM PACIFIC 📺 THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT SIX — SPECIAL MORNING EDITION 🔥 Hosted by Booney 🏟️ Exclusively on The House Always Wins Media Network on YouTube! TAYLOR SMITH: THE RIGHT MAN... OR FISHER'S MAN? Follow the money. Understand the game. #Athletics #TaylorSmith #AsBaseball #JohnFisher #TheSixthInning #MLB #HouseAlwaysWins

The Dodgers spent $412 million on their MLB payroll only to get swept. Does money actually buy a World Series championship? The Los Angeles Dodgers assembled a massive roster, yet their postseason ended in a four-game sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers. We are comparing this expensive disappointment to the legendary 1972–1974 A’s dynasty to see if a massive MLB payroll is actually the key to sustained success. This discussion moves beyond the simple math of contracts to examine the broader baseball business. While financial advantages provide a better shot at contention, the Brewers proved that competitive balance is still decided on the field, not by the checkbook. We break down why the modern obsession with spending often ignores the reality of winning. Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent analysis of the business side of baseball. Tell us in the comments if you believe money is ruining the game or if the Dodgers just underperformed. 00:00 The $412 Million Opening Roast 01:35 Welcome to The Sixth Inning 03:17 Salary Cap Guy Needs a Blanket 05:41 The $64 Million Reality Check 07:28 Kyle Tucker and Baseball's Grievance Machine 09:09 Milwaukee Said, “That's Cute” 11:17 How the Brewers Finished the Job 13:44 Spending Smart Beats Complaining Loud 14:44 Meet the Real Three-Peat A’s 17:33 The Dynasty Roll Call 21:29 How Charlie Finley Built Chaos 23:03 Cheap Ownership Isn't Good Ownership 24:25 The A’s vs. Modern Baseball 25:26 Modern Fans Need a Reality Check 27:24 Money Matters. Guarantees Don't Exist. 29:05 Put Down the Calculator Follow us on "X": @lasvegasaspod Podbean: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/

Mark Cuban has invested in the A's, but what is he actually buying? We break down the financials behind this minority stake. Harbinger Sports Partners, led by Mark Cuban, recently acquired a minority stake in the Athletics. While fans might wonder if this signals a change in the product on the field, the move is purely a financial play focused on the franchise valuation. We analyze why sophisticated investors are betting on a team that just lost 98 games and how this fits into the broader picture of sports investment. The core of this deal centers on the upcoming Las Vegas stadium project and the long-term potential of the A's baseball franchise. We examine the undisclosed terms of the transaction, the role of Team61, and what this minority ownership structure means for the team's future in Nevada. By following the money, we separate the reality of the business from the expectations surrounding the organization. Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent analysis of the business side of baseball. Let us know in the comments if you think Cuban's involvement will change the trajectory of the franchise. Follow Us on "X": @lasvegasaspod Podbean: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/

Can we build a winner with a $120 million 2027 A's payroll? We step into the GM chair to manage the budget and roster for 2027. We analyze the financial commitments already on the books, arbitration estimates, and the necessary moves to support the young core. Our primary goal is allocating the remaining $37 million in available space to build a competitive team while navigating the realities of a 2027 A's payroll. This exercise in roster construction highlights the trade-offs of modern MLB free agency. We evaluate a hypothetical $120 million spending plan, prioritizing starting pitching and bullpen depth while examining potential targets like Freddy Peralta and Gregory Soto. We also weigh the risks of high-cost contracts against the need for depth to ensure the A's field a winning team. Subscribe to the House Always Wins Media Network for independent analysis of the franchise's financial decisions. Which free agents would you target to improve the rotation? 0:00 The True Cost of a Rebuilding Franchise 2:00 Opening the Books: A Financial Deep Dive 3:59 Investing in the Foundation of Talent 6:14 Following the Money: Major Contract Breakdowns 9:34 The Hidden Complexity of Contract Options 27:03 Payroll as a Statement of Ownership Priorities 33:24 Three Scenarios for the 2027 Offseason 1:00:19 The Final Verdict: A Plan for 2027

⚾ BASEBALL 2.0: IS THE A’S $2.1 BILLION LAS VEGAS STADIUM A HIGH-TECH CASH REGISTER? Your face is your ticket. Your favorite player could become an AI chatbot. Your ballpark knows what you buy. And behind it all, Major League Baseball is building a new way to turn technology into revenue. Welcome to Baseball 2.0. On this episode of The Sixth Inning: A’s Business at Six, Booney investigates the technology transforming Major League Baseball—and what it could mean for the A’s new Las Vegas ballpark. MLB is introducing facial-recognition entry, AI-powered fan experiences, automated concessions, smarter ticket pricing, and immersive broadcasts. Some of these innovations genuinely improve the fan experience. Others raise uncomfortable questions about privacy, data ownership, and just how much a baseball fan is worth. And with the A’s developing a new ballpark in Las Vegas, the financial stakes are enormous. TONIGHT'S INVESTIGATION: ⚾ YOUR FACE IS YOUR TICKET — How MLB's biometric entry works, and what happens to your information. 🤖 WHEN YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER BECOMES AI — Could fans interact with licensed digital versions of their favorite baseball stars? 💰 THE BILLION-DOLLAR CASH REGISTER — How faster concessions, smarter pricing, and connected stadiums can create new revenue. 🏟️ THE SMARTEST BALLPARK IN BASEBALL? — What technology could mean for the A’s Las Vegas stadium and its reported $2.1 billion price tag. 🔒 THE PRICE OF CONVENIENCE — Who controls your personal data, and where should MLB draw the line? 📺 THE FUTURE OF WATCHING BASEBALL — AI-powered broadcasts, virtual reality, streaming, and the next generation of baseball media. BOONEY'S BIG QUESTION: Is Baseball 2.0 a genuine revolution for fans—or a sophisticated new revenue scheme? Maybe it's both. At The Sixth Inning, we don't stop at the press release. We examine the technology, separate confirmed developments from speculation, and follow the money. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Would you use facial recognition to enter an MLB stadium? And how much personal information would you give up for a faster, more convenient ballpark experience? 👇 Drop your opinion in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent A’s coverage, original reporting, baseball analysis, prospects, and the business decisions shaping the franchise's future. THE SIXTH INNING | A’S BUSINESS AT SIX Hosted by Booney Monday–Friday | 6 PM Pacific A House Always Wins Media Network Original Follow the money. Understand the game. #Athletics #MLB #LasVegasAthletics #BaseballAI #TheSixthInning Follow Us on "X": @lasvegasaspod Podbean: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/ 0:00 The Future of the Ballpark Experience 2:48 A History of Technological Friction 5:03 The Truth About Biometric Entry 11:27 The AI Player Chatbot Fantasy 17:18 Monetizing the Fan Experience 23:11 Designing the New Las Vegas Ballpark 39:58 Revolution or Revenue Scheme?

🚨 MLB LOCKOUT 2027: IT'S COMING. BUT WILL BASEBALL ACTUALLY LOSE GAMES? I'm making a prediction that might sound crazy. Major League Baseball will have a lockout this winter. But I believe every single scheduled regular-season game will be played in 2027. On this episode of The Sixth Inning: A's Business at Six, we're going beyond the headlines, beyond the negotiating threats, and beyond the salary cap debate to expose the financial chess match between MLB owners and the Players Association. The owners have prepared for a shutdown. A 34-page contingency memo has reportedly circulated. A proposed $245.3 million payroll ceiling and $171.2 million floor are on the negotiating table. And the union isn't backing down. But here's what everybody is missing: The salary cap might be the loudest demand, but it isn't the only prize. ⚾ TONIGHT'S BIG STORIES: 🔥 THE LOCKOUT MEMO — What MLB reportedly told its teams to prepare for. 💰 THE $245.3 MILLION CAP — Why ownership's proposal is much bigger than one payroll number. 📚 HISTORY DOESN'T LIE — What 1972, 1981, 1990, 1994, 2002 and 2022 teach us about baseball's next labor war. ⚖️ THE OTHER SIXTEEN FIGHTS — Revenue sharing, arbitration, free agency, deferred contracts, media rights and more. 📺 FOLLOW THE MONEY — Why broadcast revenue, postseason inventory and the economics of lost games could determine when the sides settle. 🟢 THE A'S FACTOR — Could a mandatory payroll floor force the Athletics to spend more? And how could the next agreement affect the Las Vegas stadium era? 🎯 BOONEY'S FINAL CALL — Why I predict a lockout but zero permanently lost regular-season games. This isn't about choosing the owners or the players. It's about understanding how negotiations work, what each side wants, and why history is the best tool we have for understanding what happens next. MY PREDICTION: LOCKOUT? YES. LOST GAMES? NO. Do you agree? Or are we heading toward another 1994? 👇 DROP YOUR PREDICTION IN THE COMMENTS. THE SIXTH INNING: A'S BUSINESS AT SIX Hosted by Booney A House Always Wins Media Network Original 📺 Monday–Friday | 6 PM Pacific 🔔 Subscribe for independent A's coverage, baseball business analysis and the stories behind the money. FOLLOW THE MONEY. UNDERSTAND THE GAME. #MLBLockout #MLB2027 #MLBNews #SalaryCap #MLBPA #Athletics #LasVegasAthletics #TheSixthInning #BaseballNews #HouseAlwaysWins

They overlooked him. They underestimated him. And now Cole Conn is making people pay attention. A 12th-round draft pick out of the University of Illinois Chicago, Cole Conn didn't enter professional baseball with the hype, headlines, or expectations reserved for baseball's elite prospects. He had to earn everything. And in 2026, he's making his case. ⚾ **TONIGHT ON SOLAR SOX SPOTLIGHT** Booney tells the underdog story of Cole Conn, the switch-hitting A's catching prospect whose journey has taken him from an overlooked draft pick to Triple-A Las Vegas and the Arizona Fall League. **THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE STORY** 2026 Minor League Season: - .286 batting average - 13 home runs - 60 RBIs - 28 stolen bases - .852 OPS Early Arizona Fall League: - .308 batting average - .907 OPS - 2 doubles and 1 triple - 5 runs scored - 2 stolen bases But this story is bigger than a stat sheet. How does an overlooked prospect fight his way up the organizational ladder? What makes Conn different from other catching prospects? And could he eventually force the A's into some difficult roster decisions? We'll also check in on the other A's prospects competing for the Mesa Solar Sox, including Davis Diaz, Breyson Guedez, Tucker Novotny, Grant Richardson, Kenya Huggins, Jared Johnson and Jay Dill. **THEY OVERLOOKED HIM. NOW LOOK. ** Welcome to Solar Sox Spotlight: The A's Fall League Report. Hosted by Booney. A House Always Wins Media Network original. Subscribe for independent A's coverage, minor league analysis, prospect development, and the stories behind the numbers. #ColeConn #Athletics #ArizonaFallLeague #MesaSolarSox #AsProspects

⚾ **WHO GETS THE KEYS? THE A’S NEXT GENERAL MANAGER** The future of the Athletics is on the line—and tonight, we're talking about who gets to shape it. Join **Booney LIVE on YouTube** for a very special edition of **THE SIXTH INNING: A’S BUSINESS AT 6**, as we break down one of the biggest questions surrounding the franchise: **Who should be calling the shots in the Athletics' front office?** With the team navigating its Sacramento chapter, preparing for Las Vegas, and trying to build a sustainable winner, the decisions made at the top could define the next decade of A's baseball. Tonight, we're digging into: ⚾ The state of the Athletics' front office ⚾ The names worth watching in the next-GM conversation ⚾ What ownership should demand from baseball operations ⚾ The roster, farm system, payroll, and 2027 outlook ⚾ How the Sacramento-to-Las Vegas transition changes everything ⚾ Booney's rankings, predictions, and your LIVE reactions **This isn't just about hiring a general manager. It's about who gets the keys to the future of the Athletics.** 💬 **JOIN THE LIVE CHAT!** Bring your questions, your opinions, and your hottest A's takes. We want to hear from YOU. 👍 LIKE the stream 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications 📢 SHARE with every A's fan you know 💬 COMMENT: Who would YOU trust to run the Athletics? 🎙️ **THE SIXTH INNING: A’S BUSINESS AT 6** **THE FUTURE OF A'S BASEBALL IS UP FOR DISCUSSION. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. ** #TheSixthInning #AsBusinessAt6 #Athletics #AsBaseball #MLB #AthleticsBaseball #LiveBaseball #BaseballTalk #LasVegasAthletics #Booney

The A's need pitching. They need smarter roster decisions. But what if the biggest moves fans want aren't coming until Las Vegas? With the 2026–27 MLB offseason approaching, Sam (@StraightAs) breaks down why the Athletics could be headed for another winter of roster Band-Aids — and why that might not be the worst strategy, provided the new front office finally finds players who actually fit. On this episode of WHERE STATS MEET INSTINCT, exclusively on The House Always Wins Media Network, Sam examines the complicated decisions facing the A's as they prepare for their final scheduled season in Sacramento before their anticipated 2028 Las Vegas move. A potential 2027 MLB lockout, uncertainty surrounding the A's new GM, and the challenges of attracting established pitchers to a hitter-friendly ballpark could make this one of the franchise's most unpredictable offseasons. But Sam isn't advocating doing nothing. He's advocating SMARTER SPENDING. Why keep signing pitchers whose strengths don't match the ballpark? Why spend heavily on free agents now if Las Vegas could offer a more attractive recruiting opportunity? And why hasn't the organization developed enough homegrown pitching to stop depending on temporary fixes? Sam examines the A's roster, including Zack Gelof, Leo De Vries, the infield competition, catching depth, and the need for a reliable right-handed reserve outfielder. Then it's time to talk pitching. From affordable A's bullpen possibilities such as Brett Suter, Brock Burke and Tim Hill to starting-pitching fits like David Peterson, Sam identifies potential solutions built around ground balls, dependable innings and realistic payroll commitments. And if the Athletics decide to make a serious investment? Clay Holmes and Adrián Morejón offer two fascinating — and expensive — possibilities. This isn't about chasing headlines in MLB free agency. It's about building an A's pitching staff and A's roster that can actually win. Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent Athletics 2027 analysis, A's free agency coverage, MLB offseason discussion, and the road to Las Vegas. Follow Sam on X: @StraightAs A's fans: Should the Athletics spend aggressively on pitching NOW, or save their biggest investments for Las Vegas?

Is the A’s Las Vegas ballpark really just a baseball stadium—or the centerpiece of an entirely new Vegas sports-business model? On this episode of The Sixth Inning: A’s Business at Six, Booney follows the money behind the glitz. We break down the A’s partnership with Circa Resort & Casino and Circa Sports, the premium seating strategy, the sold-out Athletic Club, luxury hospitality, the Circa Dugout Box, Aramark’s investment, resort packages, visiting fans, local buyers and the larger Las Vegas entertainment economy. Why does Circa want the A’s? Why do the A’s want Circa? How can a smaller 33,000-capacity ballpark generate major revenue through premium experiences? And what does it mean that 76% of Athletic Club buyers are from Southern Nevada? We also look at the other side of the bet: affordability for regular fans, dependence on tourism, 81 home games, premium-seat saturation and whether the A’s can build a true local fan base while simultaneously turning baseball into a Vegas destination experience. In Vegas, the house usually wins. This time, the A’s are trying to become part of the house. The Sixth Inning: A’s Business at Six Hosted by Booney A House Always Wins Media Network original. Follow the money. Understand the game.

Zack Gelof is back — but the bigger question is whether the A’s truly understand just how valuable he has become. After bursting onto the scene in 2023 with power, speed and athleticism, Gelof’s career was knocked sideways by injuries, strikeouts and two frustrating seasons. Then came 2026. This wasn’t simply a healthier Zack Gelof. His approach at the plate changed. He became more patient, chased fewer pitches, made more contact in the strike zone and turned himself into something the A’s badly needed: a productive hitter who can run, defend and move all over the diamond. On this episode of BUDGET BASEBALL, we break down Gelof’s journey from his electric 2023 debut through the injuries and struggles that followed, the adjustments behind his 2026 resurgence and why his defensive versatility could make him one of the most important pieces on the A’s roster. Then we tackle the uncomfortable question: If the A’s need pitching, should Gelof become a trade chip — or is he exactly the kind of player they should refuse to move? We also discuss how Gelof fits alongside Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, Max Muncy and the rest of the A’s roster, what his positional flexibility does for roster construction, and what he still needs to improve against left-handed pitching. Zack Gelof has taken a strange road to get here. But if he stays healthy, the player A’s fans thought they were getting in 2023 may finally have arrived. BUDGET BASEBALL Roster Building • Value • Analysis A HAW Original Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent A’s coverage, analysis, prospects, roster construction and the business behind baseball. QUESTION FOR A’S FANS: Would you trade Zack Gelof for pitching — or is he officially part of your untouchable core? #Athletics #ZackGelof #Baseball #MLB #BudgetBaseball

Did Schnitzer Steel really help kill the A’s Howard Terminal ballpark deal—or has that become part of the story after the fact? In this episode of The Sixth Inning, Booney digs into one of the most controversial pieces of the Howard Terminal saga: the A’s battle involving neighboring Schnitzer Steel, the environmental and fire concerns surrounding the facility, the January 2023 court development, and what actually happened during the critical months before the A’s turned toward Las Vegas. We break down what the court fight was actually about, what the A’s won and lost, what the ruling did—and DID NOT—prevent, and whether there is evidence that Schnitzer made Howard Terminal impossible to build. Then we follow the timeline. January 2023: the Schnitzer legal battle reaches a major endpoint. Three months later: the A’s announce a land agreement in Las Vegas. That sounds pretty damn convincing. But timing isn’t causation. So what else was happening? We examine Oakland’s infrastructure financing problem, the roughly $182 million federal grant that didn’t materialize, tax increment financing, rising infrastructure costs, negotiations between Oakland and the A’s, and what the people involved were actually saying as the Howard Terminal deal approached its end. If Schnitzer Steel disappeared overnight, would Howard Terminal suddenly have been ready to build? That’s the question. No slogans. No rewriting history. No picking a side and working backward. Follow the documents. Follow the money. Follow the timeline. I’m Booney, and this is The Sixth Inning — A’s baseball, A’s business, and the stories behind the headlines. New episodes Monday through Friday at 6:00. #Athletics #HowardTerminal #SchnitzerSteel #AsBaseball #MLB #LasVegasAthletics #TheSixthInning

Does the Zach Gelof lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers hold water? We analyze the play and the legal reality of the claim. Zach Gelof missed an entire month of play after hitting an exposed metal section of a wall at the ballpark. While injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, this specific incident has moved from the field to the courtroom. We break down the details of the play that started it all and the arguments surrounding the Detroit Tigers injury liability. Whether Gelof has a valid claim depends on more than just the injury itself. We examine the standard for facility safety in MLB negligence cases and what this could mean for the latest Athletics news. It is a look at the intersection of professional sports and personal injury law. Subscribe for more A's analysis and let us know in the comments: do you think the team or the venue is responsible? Follow us on "X": @lasvegasaspod Podbean: https://lasvegasathleticspodcast.podbean.com/