[新聞] Stadium problem could preclude signing Willingham
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/24/SPLA1L8UKD.DTL
Stadium problem could preclude signing Willingham
Susan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer
Oakland's shot at retaining Josh Willingham is slipping away, quite possibly
for good.
Willingham's agent, Matt Sosnick, told The Chronicle on Saturday that he
approached the team last week with various possibilities for a multiyear
deal for their top offensive player, and general manager Billy Beane told
Sosnick that spending decisions are on hold until a decision comes down
about the A's stadium situation.
"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."
Beane, who was unavailable for comment Saturday, mentioned in interviews
last week that the team expects a stadium decision will be made soon. There
are no signals coming out of Major League Baseball to indicate that, but
speculation began after the Giants shuffled their ownership structure that
the changes might facilitate some sort of sit-down with the A's over
territorial rights. Plus, baseball owners must vote to approve the Giants'
new configuration, and that's seen as a potential opportunity for the A's
to press their case.
The A's have been waiting for a stadium decision more than 2 1/2 years, and
this is the first time that club officials have expressed a belief that the
process will be resolved shortly.
Unless the team gets an answer quite soon, the only way Willingham is likely
to return to Oakland is on a one-year arbitration deal; the A's must offer
him arbitration in order to ensure a Type-A draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Willingham, who has hit 27 homers and driven in the most runs (93) for
Oakland since Frank Thomas in 2006, probably would get some sizable
three-year offers on the open market, probably in the $36 million range.
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.
"Josh does feel loyalty to Oakland and to the front office," Sosnick said.
"He absolutely loves the manager, he loves the team. But Billy said they
weren't even in a position to talk about it, and I take that at face value
because Billy is so honest - if I've had 25 interactions with him, he's been
totally forthright 25 times.
"It seems to me like Willingham is the one guy on the team who would be the
most difficult to replace, so I've got to imagine it's a pretty serious
situation. Guys aren't beating down doors to hit in Oakland, and we said
let's do something fair, but they really are in wait-and-see-mode."
According to one person familiar with the team's thinking, the A's would be
likely to cut back on spending should they get the OK to go to San Jose,
rather than increasing payroll. Were San Jose approved, the club would go
into all-out rebuilding mode to put together a potential up-and-coming
contender.
If the A's do not get the all-clear for San Jose, they'd be more likely to
spend money in the short term to try to increase the gate - and, possibly,
to make the club more attractive for potential buyers.
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