The Athletics and manager Bob Melvin agreed to an extension earlier this week, but that could be the last deal the A's make for a little while. Josh Willingham's agent, Matt Sosnick, told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he approached the club with ideas for a multiyear contract for his client. However, Sosnick was told by GM Billy Beane that the Athletics' spending decisions are on hold until the team's stadium situation is resolved.
"We gave the A's an idea of where we were, and we were told they have interest in bringing Josh back, but before they did anything, they want to see what happens with the stadium," Sosnick said. "Josh and I both made it clear he'd like to stay, but at this point, I'm pretty sure he'll test the free-agent market…. We talked about a time frame, given that Billy would like Josh back, but it seems like Billy is sort of hamstrung right now."
As Slusser writes, the A's have been awaiting a decision on their move to San Jose for over two and a half years. Beane and other club officials have indicated for the first time recently that they expect resolution soon.
According to one of Slusser's sources, the stadium decision will affect the way the A's spend their money this offseason. If San Jose were approved, the club would cut back on payroll and go into "all-out rebuilding mode," while if they remained in Oakland, short-term spending is more likely, in an attempt to increase gate and possibly attract potential buyers.
Charlie “O” might as well own the A’s once again and a donkey wearing a funkey hat parading across the field as a mascot.
Same old story in Oakland. The song remains the same.
I really do hope the stadium issue becomes resolved this off season, preferably at the beginning of it. Maybe it is part of the CBA negotiations?
I wish that the players union would do something constructive in this regard, like demand that Selig make a freaking decision and stop hanging the A’s out to dry on this stadium issue.
So does this mean a decision can finally be near??
ugh. willingham wants to sign for less money to stay and they say no…. fml
I don’t see anywhere on the article or this post that indicates he will sign for less money. And the stadium issue is probably a bigger concern.
From the storyL “Sosnick was not specific about the numbers that he presented to the A’s,
but he said the salary figure was under Willingham’s expected market
value.”
Thanks Susan – over looked it and tried to edit my comment but it has not allowed me yet!
Selig should become a congress man since he has a job but does nothing. If it takes him 2 and a 1/2 years and still nothing just guess how long the new bargain agreement will take. Looks like there will be a strike next year all thanks to Mr do nothing.
From other articles it seems the CBA is a head of schedule, but you’re right the sky is falling.
Nope. This time, the jackasses are in San Francisco.
u mad bro? The A’s are an embarrassment to baseball and a disgrace to the bay area. Even bud selig realizes this and wants them to rot in oakland while their billionaire owner pockets everything. The A’s will never move to san jose because outside of 50 people in oakland no one cares about the A’s. They aren’t even a real team the san jose giants draw more than they do. The bay area is a 1 team place and has been for a while and it will stay that way all that’s left for the A’s is contraction.
You’re right, it certainly was a one team area for the longest time. Then those damn Giants had to go win a World Series…
Oh well, 54 years of being #1 in the Bay isn’t so bad.
You are absolutely right, 9 world champions (sure in the past), the only other team to win 3 in a row not name the Yankee’s is quite an embarrassment.
— Giants moved to SF in 1958 and won a championship in 2010 (congrats on that win though)
— A’s moved to Oakland in 1968 and won 4, you can argue that the Giant’s have won it more recently..
2 1/2 years and counting for a “Blue Ribbon” team to make a decision!! What would happen if they weren’t Blue Ribbon? 20 years?
2 1/2 years and counting for a “Blue Ribbon” team to make a decision!! What would happen if they weren’t Blue Ribbon? 20 years?