http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/24/SPLA1L8UKD.DTL Stadium problem could preclude signing Willingham Susan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer Oakland's shot at retaining Josh Willingham is slipping away, quite possibly for good. Willingham's agent, Matt Sosnick, told The Chronicle on Saturday that he approached the team last week with various possibilities for a multiyear deal for their top offensive player, and general manager Billy Beane told Sosnick that spending decisions are on hold until a decision comes down about the A's stadium situation. "We gave the A's an idea of where we were, and we were told they have interest in bringing Josh back, but before they did anything, they want to see what happens with the stadium," Sosnick said. "Josh and I both made it clear he'd like to stay, but at this point, I'm pretty sure he'll test the free-agent market. "We talked about a time frame, given that Billy would like Josh back, but it seems like Billy is sort of hamstrung right now." Beane, who was unavailable for comment Saturday, mentioned in interviews last week that the team expects a stadium decision will be made soon. There are no signals coming out of Major League Baseball to indicate that, but speculation began after the Giants shuffled their ownership structure that the changes might facilitate some sort of sit-down with the A's over territorial rights. Plus, baseball owners must vote to approve the Giants' new configuration, and that's seen as a potential opportunity for the A's to press their case. The A's have been waiting for a stadium decision more than 2 1/2 years, and this is the first time that club officials have expressed a belief that the process will be resolved shortly. Unless the team gets an answer quite soon, the only way Willingham is likely to return to Oakland is on a one-year arbitration deal; the A's must offer him arbitration in order to ensure a Type-A draft pick if he signs elsewhere. Willingham, who has hit 27 homers and driven in the most runs (93) for Oakland since Frank Thomas in 2006, probably would get some sizable three-year offers on the open market, probably in the $36 million range. Sosnick was not specific about the numbers that he presented to the A's, but he said the salary figure was under Willingham's expected market value. "Josh does feel loyalty to Oakland and to the front office," Sosnick said. "He absolutely loves the manager, he loves the team. But Billy said they weren't even in a position to talk about it, and I take that at face value because Billy is so honest - if I've had 25 interactions with him, he's been totally forthright 25 times. "It seems to me like Willingham is the one guy on the team who would be the most difficult to replace, so I've got to imagine it's a pretty serious situation. Guys aren't beating down doors to hit in Oakland, and we said let's do something fair, but they really are in wait-and-see-mode." According to one person familiar with the team's thinking, the A's would be likely to cut back on spending should they get the OK to go to San Jose, rather than increasing payroll. Were San Jose approved, the club would go into all-out rebuilding mode to put together a potential up-and-coming contender. If the A's do not get the all-clear for San Jose, they'd be more likely to spend money in the short term to try to increase the gate - and, possibly, to make the club more attractive for potential buyers. --

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