November 9th, 2021
Beane Returns as A's GM
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Billy Beane hasn't served as a general manager in Major League Baseball in over six years, but he seemed right at home during an introductory press conference at Cisco Field on Tuesday. Determined to return the franchise to baseball royalty, he delivered an impassioned speech to writers and reporters.
"I'm ready to get back in the saddle and do what I do best," Beane proclaimed, wearing a pink tie and black pinstriped suit. "We're going to take a long, hard look at this roster and build it into something we can all be proud of."
Beane's return comes less than a week after his long-time assistant and eventual successor, David Forst, landed with the Boston Red Sox as their new GM. Though terms of Beane's stewardship as GM were not disclosed, sources within the A's front office tell the Chronicle that he will work for $1 per season for the next three years in exchange for an increased stake in ownership. It is believed that his ownership of the A's franchise would stand at 33%.
"We've gotten away from our core principles," Beane professed. "We've spent big market dollars and tried to become something we are not. Make no mistake, we will continue to spend money. But we will do it wisely. My mission will be to cultivate young players within our own farm system, and then keep them in A's uniforms for the entirety of their careers. Once an 'A', always an 'A.'"
The team recently inked Sancho "Bullet" Fajardo to a 7-year, $107 million extension. Shortstop Michael Pryor and first baseman Chauncey Jordan are among the young up and comers who Beane hopes will remain in the Bay Area for life.
"I want what the New York Yankees had in the 1990's," Beane said, referring to Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. "We want to draft and teach guys how to play the A's way, and keep them in a San Jose uniform until the day they retire."
When asked about the prospect of signing a marquee free agent like Masahiro Tanaka or Corey Seager in the offseason, Beane maintained his stance on cultivating players in the farm system.
"We've been down the free agency road," Beane said. "With all due respect to Bryce Harper and Justin Upton, that doesn't really fit our model. We're going to be financially competitive with other teams, but we're not going to get into a bidding war to get those players."
Beane would not address questions about payroll, which is projected to be nearly $115 million for the upcoming season. Stephen Strasburg is in the final year of a contract that will pay him for than $16 million next season, while pitcher Dylan Bundy and catcher Travis d'Arnaud are set to become free agents the year after that.
"We have something very good going here, but there's room for improvement. There always is. We're going to continue to look for ways to augment our product and make it as good as it can be. Some people may not understand at certain point along the way, but we always have our eye on the big picture."