A's Extend Contracts For Beane, Crowley, Indicating Optimism For San Jose Ballpark

A's VP & GM Billy Beane and team President Michael Crowley are "poised to sign extensions that will keep them in place" through '19, according to Susan Slusser of the S.F. CHRONICLE. A's Owner Lew Wolff confirmed that the "five-year deals are 'in process' and he called the development 'good news.'" The length of the deals is "widely considered yet another sign of optimism from the A's upper ranks that their desire for a new stadium in San Jose might become a reality." However, reports indicate that both Beane and Crowley "will have option years -- possibly multiple option years -- as part of their extensions, which could be interpreted as possible wiggle room should the San Jose stadium plans fall through" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/8). Slusser wrote, "Considering how publicly frustrated Beane has been about the limitations of the Coliseum, both in terms of attracting free agents and in terms of income generated, I cannot imagine him staying with the club that long without a good idea that a new stadium is on the horizon" (SFGATE.com, 2/7).

PLANNING COMMITTEE: In S.F., Matier & Ross report the city of Oakland is "on the verge" of putting up $3M for Dallas-based architecture firm HKS to "work their magic and come up with a new stadium and sports complex out at the Coliseum." After a "lengthy competition among six groups," city officials selected HKS, Forest City Enterprises and Oakland-based JRDV Architects to "create a plan for the 750 acres that make up the Coliseum site and the neighboring new-tech development area west of Interstate 880." Oakland Assistant City Administrator Fred Blackwell "hopes to have the exploratory deal before the council by the end of the month" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/8).