OAKLAND, Calif. -- Less than 48 hours after being eliminated from the American League Championship Series, there seems to be some discontent in the clubhouse of the Oakland A's.
Ken Macha reportedly is in some trouble as manager of the A's, according to a story in Monday's San Francisco Chronicle. The report, citing team sources, claims Macha has trouble communicating with his players and has a "callous attitude" toward injured players.
A source told the Chronicle that no firm decision has been made on Macha's future.
"The end of the year is the time for evaluation, not only players, but staff as well," A's general manager Billy Beane told the Chronicle. "It's a matter of routine this time of year."
Beane is holding meetings with his staff on Monday. The A's clubhouse was also scheduled to be open mid-afternoon.
There is $2.025 million remaining on Macha's contract.
Macha's relationships with a number of players have been the source of Bay Area stories for several seasons. Macha almost didn't return to the A's after last season, but was later rehired.
"For the last two years, our relationship has deteriorated to nothing," back-up catcher Adam Melhuse said, according to the Chronicle. "He didn't even speak to me for well over the last month. For me, as a backup, all I want is communication. Every other coach, I get along with great, but with Macha, it is not an exaggeration to say he doesn't speak to me -- not 'Hi,' not anything.
"It's tough to go to work every day knowing you're working for someone who doesn't think much of you as a player and on top of that, doesn't even acknowledge you."
Earlier this season, Macha refered to disabled players Joe Kennedy and Rich Harden as "non-entities."
During the playoffs, he responded to an injury to second baseman Mark Ellis' broekn finger with: "It's part of the game. A lot of people get hurt."
The A's won the American League West this season and swept Minnesota in the American League Division Series. They were swept by Detroit in the ALCS.