The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Manager Felipe Alou and general manager Brian Sabean will be staying with the San Francisco Giants a little longer.

The Giants exercised the option on Alou's contract for 2005 on Friday and also announced Sabean signed a contract extension through next season.

Financial terms of the deals were not released.

Alou, 68, took over a revamped roster last season and guided the Giants to a wire-to-wire division title with 100 victories. He signed a two-year contract prior to the 2003 season, with a mutual option for an extension.

Sabean, 47, became the club's general manager prior to the 1997 season and has been the architect behind division championship winners in 1997, 2000 and 2003, and a National League title team in 2002. Only the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves won more games during that seven-year period.

"I believe in continuity," club president Peter Magowan said at a spring training news conference. "In uniting these two, we have the best managing team in baseball, or as good as anybody's."

Sabean said both moves were formalities, squelching longtime speculation he would seek employment elsewhere when his contract expired at the end of this season. He also expressed satisfaction that Alou decided to continue beyond 2004.

"It's finally done. There's no more conjecture. We had a gentlemen's agreement," Sabean said. "And I think Felipe was given too little credit for 2003. He won 100 games, and he did it with new players.

"This is a day we've looked forward to, having a man with Felipe's baseball pedigree continue to lead our club. When we first hired him, I told everyone that he was like baseball royalty, and I think he showed everyone last year how special he is."

Alou is 791-778 in 11 years as a major-league manager.

"I want to thank Peter and Brian, not only for this, but for coming to my house and offering the job (in 2002)," Alou said. "There have been some questions regarding my health, and I resent that. I had a physical checkup the other day, and I'm still not sick.

"I feel I'll be in good shape to manage in 2005. I always thought I would be back. When Brian came to me, I knew he was serious about a three-year deal. I started with this organization (as a player). I'd be glad to sell tickets for these guys."