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Cubs' assistant GM Jared Banner among candidates to take over Athletics front office

There are plenty of Cubs connections in the A's search for new leadership.
ByJake Misener
Mark Cunningham/GettyImages

There's been speculation the Chicago Cubs' front office could see some changes this winter after an ultimately disappointing 2026 season - and a new report sheds some light on an external factor that could lead to departures among Jed Hoyer's lieutenants in the coming weeks.

According to The Athletic (subscription required), Cubs assistant general manager Jared Banner is among the candidates in the Athletics' search for new front office leadership. Banner has spent time with the Cubs, Red Sox and Mets during his career in professional baseball and he's worn a number of hats during those tenures.

He was instrumental in the Cubs' acquisition of Pete Crow-Armstrong five years ago - and, on the heels of a historic 40/40 season that's going to end with MVP hardware - that's a nice feather in your cap as you explore new career opportunities.

Banner is by no means the only candidate though. He's joined by Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine, Boston assistant GM Taylor Smith and Cardinals assistant GM Rob Cerfolio. And there's one other large name looming in the A's search: current Phillies executive and former Cubs prospect Sam Fuld.

Former Cubs prospect Sam Fuld has become a top front office mind

If the name Sam Fuld rings a bell, it's because he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs not once, but twice, ultimately signing with the team after being selected in the 10th round of the 2004 MLB Draft.

He bounced around during his big-league career, spending parts of eight seasons with Tampa Bay, Chicago, Oakland and Minnesota, but wasted no time establishing himself as a rising star in the industry once his playing days were done. He's been mentored by the Phillies' Dave Dombrowski, a potential future Hall of Fame executive, and is considered a top contender for the gig.

The Athletics were a disappointment in 2026, but as we all know, it's all eyes on 2028, when the franchise completes its anticipated move to Las Vegas. The move is reportedly going to open up payroll possibilities, which could give whoever lands the job more runway to build a contender than we've seen in some time, dating back to the team's days in Oakland.

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