The A's have extended manager Bob Melvin's contract through the 2018 season, the team announced during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Melvin first took over as A's manager after Bob Geren was let go in 2011, going 47-52 as the interim manager. During his first full season as the team's skipper, he led Oakland to the playoffs with a 94-68 record which was good enough to earn him the American League Manager of the Year award. The following year, Melvin outdid himself with a 96-66 record and another playoff berth. Over the course of his first three full seasons as manager, Melvin won at least 88 games and made the playoffs all three years.
2015 was the first roadblock for Melvin in Oakland, as the team is currently 60-80. The timing of his extension is a little strange, as Melvin was already under contract for next season and the team currently finds itself in last place.
Oakland is also likely to promote current general manager Billy Beane to team president and as well as elevate assistant general manager David Frost, to GM, according to a report from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Melvin's understanding of modern analytics, something that Beane's front office prides itself in, combined with his overall success likely makes it clear why Beane would want to lock up Melvin for the foreseeable future.