Wolff Says A's Could Move To San Jose Three Years After MLB Approval

The A's "could move into a new stadium in San Jose three years after getting approval for the move from" MLB, and if the Giants "drop their objections," according to Rob Gloster of BLOOMBERG NEWS. A's Owner Lew Wolff Tuesday said that he is "waiting for permission from MLB to move the franchise 40 miles south to the proposed 32,000-seat Cisco Field." Wolff: "They've had time enough to explore anything. We're getting close to the point [MLB Commissioner Bud Selig] is going to make a decision." The Giants "have territorial rights to Santa Clara County," and Wolff said that Giants President & COO Larry Baer is "against Oakland's move because it will hurt his team." Wolff: "It's so ridiculous to me. This is really a shovel-ready project that is being stopped by a disagreement with the Giants." Wolff said that he "has ruled out Oakland as a future home for the A’s and that 'if we stay in the Bay Area, there really is only one site and that’s in San Jose.'" He added that he "doesn't know what he'd do if MLB rejects the team's move to San Jose, saying 'we don't have a Plan B'" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/2).

HEARD THIS ALL BEFORE: In Oakland, Gary Peterson wrote Wolff's comments continue the "never-ending story," and "frankly, it's losing its charm." There are, however, "two new elements to this year's version." The A's are "coming off their most inspiring offseason in years from a pure baseball standpoint," and San Jose officials are "now far enough along in the professional relationship with Wolff that they might be wondering what kind of business partner this fellow is going to be." Peterson wrote, "Wolff has been, for the time being, outflanked by the Giants. Why do the Giants want to stop the A's from moving to San Jose? Because they can" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 3/2).