Bob Melvin, Billy Beane, David Forst Agree to Athletics Contract Extensions

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

The Oakland Athletics made the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 campaign and decided to keep the major pieces in place heading into the 2019 season.

The A’s announced they have agreed to long-term contract extensions with executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane, general manager David Forst and manager Bob Melvin. Melvin has been the manager since he took over for the fired Bob Geren in 2011 and has helped lead the Athletics to the postseason four times during his tenure.

Beane, who was famously portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie Moneyball, became the Athletics general manager in 1997. He served in that role for 18 years before shifting to his current position and has overseen nine playoff appearances in the past 21 seasons. He is also a minority owner of the team.

Forst took over as general manager after Beane moved toward baseball operations.

Oakland was one of baseball’s biggest surprises under the trio during the 2018 campaign after finishing in last place in the American League West the prior three years. The A’s went 97-65 and reached the American League Wild Card Game, and Melvin is a candidate for AL Manager of the Year as a result.

“I’m proud of the tremendous success of our team under the leadership of Billy, David and Bob and am excited to have that continue for years to come,” owner John Fisher said, per Jon Becker of the Mercury News.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Melvin’s contract extension will keep him in place through 2021 and make him one of the five highest-paid managers at around $3.5 million a year.

The report also noted Forst’s extension is through the 2023 campaign, while Beane is thought to be with the team indefinitely even though the exact specifications of the contract were unknown.