Roster turnover, other A’s issues hot topics at FanFest

Frustrations abound with the A’s, even at the team’s FanFest at Jack London Square.

Fans are frustrated with the constant roster churn and the tiny payroll. Team execs are frustrated with the stadium-search setback and the difficulties in attracting free agents. Three consecutive last-place finishes don’t help the mood much, either.

During a question-and-answer session Saturday morning, vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane repeatedly was asked about the high turnover rate, including annual midseason deals that send away top players. “Every year, we get attached to people and they leave,” one fan said.

“It’s obviously the theme we’re trying to end here,” Beane responded, noting that even his wife, Tara, gets mad at him over player moves, and his kids were upset when he dealt Josh Reddick in 2016. “It’s not something we like. … We’re trying to solve that. Hopefully at some point it’s not the case anymore.”

The team has tried to add some free agents this offseason — The Chronicle has learned that Oakland offered left-handed reliever Brian Duensing $3 million more than the two-year, $7 million deal he accepted from the Cubs. The A’s also made outfielder Austin Jackson a one-year offer; he took a two-year offer from the Giants.

But there are currently no significant free agents under discussion. Despite an apparent need for a left-handed reliever, the top-end possibilities, such as Tony Watson, appear to be out of the A’s price range.

Oakland’s payroll is projected to be $59.5 million, the second lowest in baseball, according to multiple sources. Though teams received $50 million each this winter from the sale of MLB Advanced Media and the A’s are still receiving close to $20 million in revenue sharing, they still don’t appear inclined to spend much. According to an industry source, the A’s lost money last season for the first time during John Fisher’s ownership; the team’s attendance last season was the second worst in the majors, at 1.475 million — behind even Miami — and ratings were minuscule both on NBCSCA and on 95.7 FM The Game.

Beane described the team’s approach while waiting for a new stadium as “hand to mouth” at one point during Saturday’s Q-and-A’s.

“Whatever we have to work with, the best baseball team we can put on the field within the confines of that budget is what we try to do,” Beane said when a fan asked about the team’s revenue. “We do the best job we can with what we have.”

The roiling roster is the product of low revenues, which are related to the need for a new stadium, Beane said. Last year, the A’s identified a spot near Laney College as their preferred site, but the community college district board of trustees called off talks with the A’s after negative feedback from teachers, students and the surrounding community.

Team president Dave Kaval said Saturday that the A’s remain committed to building a privately financed stadium in Oakland, with Howard Terminal, the Coliseum and even Laney College as their options. Kaval described the Howard Terminal and Coliseum sites as “beautiful” and said “we have not given up” when it comes to the Laney College location.

Another fan quizzed Beane about the large number of ex-A’s on playoff teams. “How do we lose the reputation of being the best farm team out there?” she asked.

“Finding the talent, our staff has done a pretty good job of that,” Beane said. “Retaining it is the challenge. Again, it’s not by choice. We’re trying to change that narrative.

“I’m running out of time myself, so I’m with you. This is my 21st year and there are only so many times I can let you yell at me every year,” he added with a laugh.

Beane noted that had he kept the 2001 playoff team together, for instance, the payroll would have hit $300 million.

Not everything was gloomy Saturday, however. Beane repeatedly has said the A’s would like to sign some of their top young players to long-term deals, and the team had some of that young core on display, including third baseman Matt Chapman, first baseman Matt Olson and utility player Chad Pinder. With that young group up in September, Oakland had its best month of the season, going 16-12.

“Last year, we ended with a good feeling,” said manager Bob Melvin, who emphasized that more top prospects are on the way. “We really accomplished some things. … (We want to be) continually building on that.”

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com