New Athletics general manager Cam Castro said the franchise's under-construction $2.1 billion Strip ballpark was a major factor in his decision to leave the Milwaukee Brewers for Las Vegas. The 36-year-old, introduced at a news conference Thursday, pointed to the stadium model and its state-of-the-art training and recovery spaces as features that will create buzz across the league.
"Looking at it (the ballpark model) behind us here, it looks insane. It looks awesome," Castro said. "So I think it's going to create a ton of buzz and excitement, not only for the community here and for the industry and the league, but for the players who get to walk into work there every day."
Castro will report to Taylor Smith, 31, who was hired as president of baseball operations in October. Smith said the Southern Nevada market and the new facility will serve as compelling selling points for free agents, citing the ability to live in the area year-round and the local golf scene as lifestyle advantages.
Both executives said there is significant chatter around Major League Baseball about the project ahead of the 2028 opening season. "This will be the talk of the town, I think, for a while," Castro said. Smith added that the stadium designs signal a shift in the franchise's economics.
The desert climate also appealed to Castro, who noted the contrast with an impending Milwaukee winter. He said his family will be comfortable in Las Vegas, where he has spent time previously during spring training trips to nearby Phoenix. The pair plan to accelerate their work next week during MLB's general managers meetings in Las Vegas.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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