MLB Players Reveal Team They Prefer to Avoid in Trades

The anonymous survey by **The Athletic** just confirmed what a lot of folks in baseball have quietly thought for years: the Oakland Athletics are the least desirable team for MLB players. Out of 115 respondents, 39 named the A’s for their bad reputation.

The franchise’s long list of problems—underwhelming investments, rough facilities, and a general lack of appeal—are under the microscope now. This blog takes a closer look at what the survey found and why so many players are steering clear of the Athletics.

Why Are the Oakland Athletics Struggling with Reputation Issues?

Players don’t just care about wins and losses. Things like **organizational spending, amenities, and infrastructure** really matter to them when choosing where to play.

The A’s have been known for their penny-pinching ways for years, and it’s not just fans who are fed up—MLB players are, too. They’re at the bottom of the league in terms of desirability, and honestly, it’s not a mystery why.

Poor accommodations and a stadium that some call “minor league” just don’t cut it. The A’s keep falling behind in the areas that matter most to players looking for a new home.

Subpar Facilities and Accommodation

Baseball players aren’t asking for luxury, but basic comfort matters. The survey included one player’s story about a friend who got traded to the A’s and immediately regretted it—mainly because of the **team’s bad food and lousy lodging**.

The refusal to fix up the facilities feels like a symptom of bigger organizational problems. Facilities say a lot about a team’s commitment, and in Oakland, the lack of upgrades just cements their spot at the bottom.

Failing to Spend: A Longstanding Issue

Frustration over the A’s reluctance to spend came up again and again in the survey. While teams like the Dodgers and Astros pour millions into winning, the Athletics have made being cheap their thing.

Players notice. If the organization won’t invest in infrastructure or talent, why would top players want to go there? A lack of spending makes it seem like winning isn’t really on the table, and players just don’t buy Oakland’s vision.

The Impact of Poor On-Field Performance

It’s not just off-field stuff dragging the A’s down. Their record at the time of the survey—26-43—doesn’t exactly scream contender.

Players want to be on competitive teams, and Oakland’s recent results make it hard to believe they’re anywhere close to the postseason. When you add that to the other issues, it’s no wonder they’re struggling to attract talent.

Reputation Issues Extending Beyond Oakland

The Athletics weren’t the only team to get called out. The **Chicago White Sox**, **Miami Marlins**, and **Colorado Rockies** also landed on players’ do-not-join lists.

These teams share a few problems: not enough investment, shaky infrastructure, and a reputation that’s seen better days. They didn’t beat the A’s in the negative vote, but their presence on the list shows this isn’t just an Oakland thing.

Can Oakland Turn Things Around?

What really stood out in the survey? Players’ opinions didn’t budge, even after the Athletics tried to spend a bit more in the offseason.

Most players just don’t trust the team to fix things for good. It’s going to take a real and lasting change in how the A’s operate if they want to win players over.

Steps Toward Improvement

If the A’s want to shake off their bad rep, here are a few things they could try:

• Investing in better facilities: Upgrading the stadium and improving accommodations would show players the team actually cares.
• Offering competitive contracts: Players want to feel valued. Raising payroll could help bring in and keep better talent.
• Commitment to winning: Building a real contender takes resources. Oakland needs to prove they’ll actually invest in success.

Conclusion

The Oakland Athletics’ reputation issues say a lot about how teams treat their players. When an organization skimps on spending or lets facilities slide, players definitely notice.

The A’s have chased short-term wins but ignored bigger investments. That’s left many players feeling alienated and frustrated.

If the team doesn’t change course soon, I’d bet more surveys like The Athletic’s will keep exposing these problems. Honestly, it’s tough to see the A’s moving up baseball’s desirability rankings any time soon.

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB players anonymously named one team they do not want to play for