Fans Attributing Oakland Athletics' Roster Moves to Anti-Ownership Conspiracy Theory

"Last Dive Bar" has been pushing #WristbandGate on social media after several Oakland Athletics players were shockingly benched, released or sent down.

Mar 6, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Brent Rooker (25) singles in a Spring Training game. / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics have made a few head-scratching moves as of late, and fans think they've discovered the reasoning behind them.

Athletics ownership has been put on blast for a laundry list of reasons over the years, but most recently for attempting to relocate the team to Las Vegas. Last Dive Bar – a local apparel company that focuses on the history of the Oakland Coliseum and donates a portion of its profits to help the surrounding community – has been at the forefront of the fanbase's "Sell the team" movement, organizing protests and reverse boycotts on the biggest stages possible.

Several players have been seen wearing "Last Dive Bar" wristbands, as has manager Mark Kotsay.

But now, with speedster Esteury Ruiz getting optioned to Triple-A and All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker getting benched, fans believe their demotions are an act of retaliation from ownership.

Ruiz, after all, led the American League in stolen bases in 2023 and boasted a 1.232 OPS through the first weekend of 2024. Rooker may have opened this season 0-for-11, but he is fresh off a season in which he hit 30 home runs with an .817 OPS and was Oakland's lone representative at the All-Star Game.

Both wore "Last Dive Bar" wristbands during games.

Rooker benched, Ruiz sent down.

One has to wonder why… pic.twitter.com/tscp9KnFnQ

— Last Dive Bar 🏟 (@LastDiveBar) April 1, 2024

Former first round pick James Kaprielian, another "Last Dive Bar" wristband wearer, was waived at the end of 2023. Outfielder Cristian Pache, who came back as part of the blockbuster Matt Olson trade in 2022, was shipped off to the Philadelphia Phillies last spring.

And while 2023 was utility man Tony Kemp's worst season in the big leagues, fans were still a bit confused when the Athletics let the four-year starter walk in free agency this past winter. Now that photos have come out with him wearing a "Last Dive Bar" shirt during warmups, they believe they've found an explanation.

Last Dive Bar has been adding #WristbandGate to virtually all of its social media posts this week, all while the Athletics have been locked in negotiations trying to get their lease at the Coliseum extended. The team's new stadium in Las Vegas won't be ready until 2028, meaning they could be left without a home from 2025 to 2027 if talks fall apart with the city of Oakland.

The Athletics have called Oakland home since 1968. They have the fewest wins in baseball since 2022, despite six postseason bids in the previous nine years, and they rank dead last in attendence in that time.

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