A’s third baseman Matt Chapman has been keeping track of the latest developments with the Howard Terminal ballpark and told Brodie Brazil he hopes the new ballpark leads to long-term contracts for Oakland’s core players.
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And he even has even been mentioned in trade speculation: “Better to be talked about than not, I guess?”.
But the two-time Platinum Glove award winner also has been keeping a keen eye on Oakland’s progress for a ballpark at Howard Terminal, and how it could coincide with long-term commitments to a core group of A’s players.“
"Hopefully this new stadium comes along, and things like that can happen,” Chapman told NBC Sports California in an exclusive interview this week.
Updated ballpark renderings were released last month, and Chapman likes what he sees.
Oakland Athletics
“They look pretty cool,” Chapman said. “Everybody in this clubhouse hopes it’s a real thing. We want this to happen. We want it for the fans of Oakland. It’s only going to make Oakland a better destination to play, and hopefully a better city.”
While the pandemic has further delayed the project that was originally slated for completion in 2023, the timing could still work out where construction begins before free agency does for players like Chapman and others.
“We want to be that group of players that gets to stay in Oakland for a long time,” Chapman said. “Not just the typical Oakland player that comes in and comes out. We want to stay here for a long time, and build something great.”
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Although he’s only called the Coliseum home since 2017, Chapman does comprehend its history. And the magnitude of moving on.
“If that new stadium does happen and we’re suiting up at Howard Terminal, I think good things are on the horizon,” Chapman said. “It will be a happy transition for us. We'll look back at the Coliseum and reminisce on some of those days.”
“But it will mean that the future us bright for us in Oakland, and we get to really start going after those championships.”
