"A's general manager Billy Beane and team president Michael Crowley are poised to sign extensions that will keep them in place through 2019.

Owner Lew Wolff confirmed in an e-mail that the five-year deals are "in process" and he called the development "good news."

The length of the deals is widely considered yet another sign of optimism from the A's upper ranks that their desire for a new stadium in San Jose might become a reality. Commissioner Bud Selig said last month that the stadium issue is now "on the front burner," although the Giants still own territorial rights to San Jose and object strongly to the A's proposed move."