Oakland rehires Macha after nine days

Ken Macha has a new job: his old one.

Out last week as Oakland’s manager, he called general manager Billy Beane one last time to say thanks, and wound up with a three-year deal Friday.

“I think both of us felt this would be best for himself, best for myself and best for the club,” Macha said. “I think Billy has a lot of trust in what I do on the field, and I have a lot of trust in what he does off the field.”

Macha and Beane didn’t talk after the A’s announced negotiations had broken down Oct. 5. Macha admits that the two sides probably should have waited a week after an emotional season to begin the discussions.

“It all started with that call,” Beane said. “I think it took a lot for him to pick up that phone. It was probably not an easy call for him to make.”

Right fielder Nick Swisher sounded happy having his manager back.

“Macha’s a great manager and he knows the game. I’m excited for next season to get started,” Swisher said during a telephone interview from his home in West Virginia.

Macha interviewed for the opening in Pittsburgh that ultimately went to Jim Tracy.

Padres fire Lopes, Picciolo

First base coach Davey Lopes and third base coach Rob Picciolo won’t be back with San Diego next season.

The Padres will not renew the contracts of Lopes, Picciolo and advance scout Jeff Gardner.

Lopes, 60, rejoined the Padres’ coaching staff in November 2002 after spending the previous two-plus years as the Milwaukee Brewers manager.

Picciolo, 52, finished the year extending his record as the longest tenured coach in Padres history to 15 years. He has spent the last three as the third base coach. He managed the Spokane Indians in 1986 and ‘87, when he was named Northwest League manager of the year.

The Padres also released infielder Manny Alexander and announced infielder Damian Jackson had elected free agency after clearing outright waivers.

Devil Rays interview Trammell

Former Detroit manager Alan Trammell thinks he’d be a good fit to lead a young, improving team such as Tampa Bay.

“In my opinion, it’s a sleeping giant,” Trammell said after interviewing for the opening created last month when the Devil Rays agreed to buy out the final season of Lou Piniella’s contract.

Trammell, fired last week after managing the Tigers for three seasons, met with Devil Rays executives Matthew Silverman and Andrew Friedman for more than 4 hours.

He’s the fifth candidate to receive a formal interview.

Cardinals take shot on Ankiel

St. Louis purchased the contract of former pitcher Rick Ankiel, who just completed his first year as a minor league outfielder.

Ankiel, 26, batted a combined .259 with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs in 85 games split between Double-A Springfield and Class A Quad Cities.

Ankiel, who made it to the major leagues at age 20, won 11 games in his rookie year in 2000 but was plagued by wildness and injuries the next three seasons.