Hold the phone

Ken Macha and Oakland have failed to reach a contract based on what Billy Beane called "Compensation issues." Beane says there's no hard feelings, but Macha is a free man.

I'm not shocked, but it did seem like they were headed towards a contract earlier this week. Macha's made it pretty clear that he'd like to manage here, though he lacks the Littlefield connection that Tracy has. At the very least I'd say this makes it at least a two-horse race for now, which can only be a good thing.