OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The Oakland Athletics came to terms Friday with Manager Ken Macha on a three-year contract.
The announcement came just over a week after the club said it failed to reach a new agreement with Macha when his previous three-year deal expired.
"At this point," General Manager Billy Beane said on Oct. 5 on Oakland's Web site, "both sides have agreed to pursue other options. ... We were just too far apart. I don't think we were ever going to be able to bridge the gap. ... When you're so far apart, there's no sense going through the exercise."
Macha's new deal will keep him with the club through 2008.
Macha, 55, has a 275-211 record in three seasons with Oakland. In his first year, the Athletics won the American League West, but have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.
Before becoming manager, he spent four seasons as Oakland's bench coach under former Manager Art Howe.
