Sam Fuld declined an offer to be the A's president of baseball operations, sources told ESPN, with Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith remaining a top candidate.

Sam Fuld was offered theAthletics' job as president of baseball operations but declined to take it and has withdrawn from consideration, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Saturday. Fuld, who had previously served as general manager in Philadelphia, will remain in his current role as president of business operations for thePhillies, sources told ESPN. Red Soxassistant general manager Taylor Smith remains a top candidate to take over as head of baseball operations for the A's, sources told ESPN.Cardinalsassistant GM Rob Cerfolio, another finalist, is expected to remain with St. Louis. The A's are coming off a 64-98 season that started with high hopes, only to be derailed by injuries and a struggles by the pitching staff. Only theColorado RockiesandLos Angeles Angelsfinished with worse records than the A's in 2026. General manager David Forst was fired in August, and Dan Feinstein served as interim GM through the end of the season. The Athletics, who are scheduled to move from Sacramento to their new home in Las Vegas following the 2027 season, last made the playoffs in 2020.