OAKLAND - Bob Melvin has guided the A's to the postseason four times in his seven full seasons as manager. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2019 season, the A's will likely reward him with an extension sometime this offseason.
"Bob is one of the best in the game and he's perfect for us," executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said Friday. "The idea is that he's here for a long time and the rest of his career."
Melvin led the A's to a 97-65 record this season, despite entering the year with the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball. He also had to overcome a barrage of season-ending injuries to his starting rotation, yet still helped Oakland capture the second wild card spot in the American League.
Melvin, 56, has compiled a record of 634-599 since taking over as A's manager in the middle of the 2011 season. He was named American League Manager of the Year in 2012 after leading Oakland to an improbable AL West division title.
"Our feeling is Bob is the right guy for this club and he should be going forward," Beane said. "He's been phenomenal, and a pretty good guy to hang out with sometimes."
Melvin previously served as manager of the Diamondbacks and Mariners. He was named National League Manager of the Year in 2007 with Arizona and is one of only six managers to win the award in both the AL and NL.
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Melvin has a career managerial record of 1,127-1,107. His 1,127 wins rank 54th in MLB history and his 634 wins with the A's are third most in franchise history, behind only Connie Mack and Tony La Russa.
