A's announce 20-year pact with Mesa, Az

The Oakland Athletics announced a 20-year agreement with the city of Mesa, Az. that will return the club to the East Valley city for spring training beginning in 2015.

The deal includes two five-year team options that could extend Oakland's stay to 30 years.

Oakland trained in Mesa from 1969-78, and will once again conduct workouts at Fitch Park and play spring training games at HoHoKam Park, the current home of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs will move into the newly constructed Riverview Park stadium in 2014 year. HoHoKam Park will then be closed to undergo $20 million in renovations.

"We're extremely excited about our future spring home and want to thank the city of Mesa for all their hard work and cooperation in making this agreement possible," said A's owner and managing partner Lew Wolff in a statement. "With the improvements planned over the next two years, we believe HoHoKam Stadium and surrounding facilities will rival any in Major League Baseball."

The A's played their games at HoHoKam Park from 1977-78. After a brief period in Scottsdale, they moved to Phoenix Municipal Stadium in 1982, where they have remained since.