" Just when it appeared as if the A's might be among the league's least compelling teams, at least in the near future, they made a big, big splash - with more ripples likely to come.

Oakland, which spent the winter trading its top three pitchers, unexpectedly snatched prized Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes away from the Marlins and other big spenders Monday, signing the 26-year-old to a four-year, $36 million deal.

The contract will not be official until Cespedes, who defected, obtains a visa, which will take several days, and takes a physical, but team sources and agent Adam Katz confirmed the agreement. Cespedes will earn $6.5 million in 2012, $8.5 million next season and $10.5 million in each of the final two years of the deal."