A’s Get Permission to Talk With Stewart

The Oakland Athletics have received permission from the San Diego Padres to talk with Dave Stewart regarding a front-office position, baseball sources said Thursday. Stewart served in the dual capacity of pitching coach and assistant to the general manager with the Padres this year, and is expected to be offered the position of assistant general manager or personnel director with the A’s.

Sources said Stewart is likely to receive a similar offer from the Toronto Blue Jays, although the Blue Jays have not asked for permission to talk with him. San Diego General Manager Kevin Towers said recently he did not expect Stewart to return to the Padres in 1999 because of his desire to become a general manager and the opportunities elsewhere.