CHICAGO -- Throughout weeks of back-and-forth talks between his agent and A's brass regarding a contract extension, Mark Kotsay was pestered on a near-daily basis for updates.

"I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to address this at all, one way or another," Kotsay said recently. "I just want to play baseball."

Starting Sunday, he can. On Saturday, though, he had to talk about it one last time after the A's announced that they'd reached an agreement on a three-year contract extension that will keep the veteran center fielder in Oakland through 2008.

"It's a joyful day to know I'm gonna be in an Oakland uniform," Kotsay said. "I think I'm gonna be an Oakland A for a long time."

He will be at least through 2006. The A's, who had never before granted a full no-trade clause during general manager Billy Beane's time at the helm of baseball operations, gave one to Kotsay.

"Obviously when we signed Mark, we did so with the idea of keeping him here," Beane said via conference call.

Noting that Kotsay, 29, could have opted out of his old deal and become a free agent at the end of this season, Beane added that the no-trade clause was "the least we could do."

In 2007 and 2008, Kotsay said, he'll have a limited no-trade clause that will prevent the A's from dealing him to about eight teams.

"It's really difficult to find a player like Mark," Beane said. "So when you find him, you want to keep him."

Added A's manager Ken Macha: "It should be a great day for the fans in Oakland. They should take is as a commitment from the organization. Mark has always said he wants to play for a winner. He thinks the future is bright here, and that's a good way to view things."

"It's definitely a statement that Mr. Wolff wants to win," Kotsay said.

Greg Genske, Kotsay's agent, was said to be looking for a two-year deal worth about $14 million. The A's, as per club policy, did not announce any specifics about the extension outside its length, but the new deal is said to be worth $29 million, including Kotsay's 2005 salary of $7.025 million.

The opt-out clause in Kotsay's old deal fueled speculation that he was on the trading block, and Beane conceded that he received several inquiries. Kotsay took the rumors as a form of flattery.

"It's definitely a great compliment that other teams do appreciate and value what you do," Kotsay said. "But in the end, I realized I wanted to be an Oakland A."

New A's owner Lew Wolff wanted Kotsay to stay in green and gold, too. Badly.

"The person most giddy about this was Lew," Beane said. "He's grown very fond of Mark and how he represents the A's on and off the field."

Added Beane: "He's a complete player. Just an absolute class act and a gentleman in every type of representation you want in a guy wearing your baseball team's uniform."

Kotsay said his wife, Janie, who is expecting the couple's second child later this month or in early August, were on the same page as far as committing to the A's.

Mark Kotsay  /   CF
		Born: 12/02/75 Height: 6'0" Weight: 200 lbs Bats: L / Throws: L More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

"We're a team," he said, noting that Saturday was Janie's 26th birthday. "We don't make any decisions individually, and she's as comfortable with this as I am."

The A's now have six players under contract beyond the 2005 season, not including Scott Hatteberg (club option for 2006), Keiichi Yabu (club option 2006) and Barry Zito (club option 2006). In addition to Kotsay, the other five players and the years they are signed through are: Eric Chavez (2010, club option 2011), Bobby Crosby (2009), Keith Ginter (2006), Rich Harden (2008, club option 2009) and Jason Kendall (2007).

"I see this team going in the right direction," Kotsay said. "We have some great young pitching, and the nucleus is made up of guys who know how to play the game the right way.

"That's something I definitely want to be a part of, long-term."