Oakland Athletics News

Two reports saying that the A's have signed Michael Feliz
Comment
February 7
Oakland Tribune
 (scroll down)
"Two reports Saturday said the A's have agreed to terms with right-hander Michael Feliz out of the Dominican Republic, though the team has yet to confirm it. Feliz reportedly would get an $800,000 bonus, with the deal pending a physical and age investigation, not uncommon for players coming out of the Dominican. The Dominican Prospect League web site lists Feliz's age as 16. A scouting report on that site says the 6-foot-4 Feliz boasts a fastball in the 91-93 mph range."
A's trade lefty pitcher Eveland to Toronto
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February 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's traded left-hander Dana Eveland to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Eveland, 26, was designated for assignment Monday along with infielder Gregorio Petit. The A's have until Thursday to trade or release Petit, or send him to the minors if he clears waivers. After being acquired from Arizona as part of the Dan Haren trade in December 2007, Eveland went 9-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 29 starts in 2008. He struggled last season and spent most of the year with Triple-A Sacramento. Considering the A's are stocked with young pitching, Eveland welcomed a change of scenery. He said Blue Jays officials told him he'll be competing for a ..."
It's time to give announcer King his due
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February 3
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Ratto
"Jon Miller's latest honor, as the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award for baseball broadcasting, is one of those no-brainers that really was a no-brainer - as in, "You mean he wasn't in already?" Which brings us to Bill King, who hasn't won, and at this rate might never win. Not the Frick, not the Pete Rozelle Radio-TV Award and not the Curt Gowdy Media Award. None of them. And that remains an amazement. King, the definitive voice of the Raiders and Warriors, and longest-serving voice of the A's, has come close to the Frick before only to fall in 2007 to Kansas City Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews, and it is a weird tribute to King's career that the Frick is actually his best shot even ..."
Oakland set on backup outfielders and infielders
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February 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"In one big flurry of activity Monday, the A's addressed their top need by obtaining not one but two backup infielders, and also added a fourth outfielder, signing Gabe Gross to a one-year deal. Oakland sent infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named or cash to the Reds in exchange for versatile young infielder Adam Rosales and outfielder Willy Taveras. The A's immediately designated Taveras for assignment, and it's unlikely they'll be able to trade him and his $4 million salary. Miles, who is from Antioch, is making $2.7 million so, in essence, the A's are looking at the transaction as if they paid $1.3 million for Rosales, who is considered a better shortstop than Miles and who, at ..."
A's claim Tolleson on waivers from Twins
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February 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Oakland Athletics on Monday claimed infielder Steven Tolleson off waivers from the Twins. The Twins tried to get Tolleson through waivers to clear space on their 40-man roster to add desiginated hitter Jim Thome, who could officially sign as soon as Tuesday. Tolleson, 26, hit .270 with six homers and 27 RBI in 92 games at Class AAA Rochester last year after hitting .258 in 38 games at Class AA New Britain."
A's trade Aaron Miles to Reds and sign Gabe Gross
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February 2
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's sent the transaction wire buzzing Monday, trading infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named to the Cincinnati Reds and signing free-agent outfielder Gabe Gross as part of a flurry of moves. Miles, an Antioch High product who had been acquired from the Cubs on Dec. 3, was shipped to Cincinnati in exchange for infielder Adam Rosales and outfielder Willy Taveras, the latter of whom immediately was designated for assignment. The A's also claimed minor league infielder Steve Tolleson off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Rosales, 26, was the key player for the A's in the Reds trade, as the move with Taveras indicated. Taveras wasn't the only one removed from the A's 40-man roster; ..."
Reds acquire Miles in four-player deal
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February 2
MLB.com
 
"The Reds acquired infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named later from the A's on Monday for center fielder Willy Taveras and infielder Adam Rosales. The move comes on the same day the club officially signed shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $2.02 million deal with a $4 million mutual option for 2011. Taveras was due to make $4 million in 2010 while the 33-year-old Miles will make $2.7 million this season. The Reds were planning to sign Cabrera anyway, but can use the savings from the trade to partially offset that deal. "It could have been done but it makes the breathing room a little easier," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Taveras, who was promptly designated for ..."
A's sign Gabe Gross, make trade with Reds and claim infielder off waivers
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February 1
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's made a flurry of moves Monday as they acquired infielder Adam Rosales and outfielder Willy Taveras in a trade with Cincinnati, signed free-agent outfielder Gabe Gross and claimed infielder Steve Tolleson off waivers from Minnesota. Oakland dealt infielder Aaron Miles of Antioch and a player to be named later to the Reds for Rosales, who is likely going to be the A's utility infielder, and Taveras, who was immediately designated for assignment by Oakland. Left-handed pitcher Dana Eveland was also designated for assignment Monday. Rosales spent most of the season with Cincinnati, where he batted .213 with four home runs and 19 RBI in 87 games. He appeared in 57 games at third base, ..."
Reds pick up Miles from A's
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February 1
Foxsports.com
 
"The Oakland A's have agreed to trade infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named later to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Willy Taveras and infielder Adam Rosales, a major league source confirmed to FOXSports.com. The A's acquired Miles (and Jake Fox) in a trade with the Cubs earlier this offseason. Monday's trade will reunite Miles with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, his boss in St. Louis during the 2006 world championship season. Both Miles and Taveras were disappointments for their respective teams in 2009. Taveras batted .240 — with a dismal .275 on-base percentage — in 102 games for the Reds last year. Taveras eventually lost his starting job in center field; Drew Stubbs is ..."
Reds trade Taveras, Rosales for infielder
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February 1
Dayton Daily News
 
"The Cincinnati Reds have traded outfielder Willy Taveras to the Oakland Athletics, according to several media outlets. Taveras and infielder Adam Rosales were sent to the A's for Aaron Miles, a 33-year-old infielder who hit .185 in 74 games for the Cubs in 2009. Taveras, 28, suffered through a disappointing, injury filled season with the Reds in 2009. He hit just .240 in 102 games with one home run and 15 runs batted in. Rosales played all four infield spots for the Reds, hitting .213 in 87 games. Miles is a career .282 hitter. ESPN is reporting that the Reds will also receive cash or a player to be named later."
A's appear to have deal with Gross
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February 1
MLB.com
 
"A team source confirmed to MLB.com on Sunday that the A's have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent Gabe Gross. The club has not announced the deal, but the outfielder's contract, according to the source, is worth $750,000 with plate-appearance incentives that can bring it to $1 million. Gross hit .227 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 282 at-bats while starting in 67 games in right field last year for Tampa Bay. He is a career .239 hitter with a .337 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage. The 30-year-old Gross, who will enter his sixth big league season with his fourth team, presumably represents the A's top option for a fourth outfielder and gives Oakland a left-handed ..."
A's Outman vows to return from injury
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January 31
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 columnist Rob Rains
"For more than 20 years, Fritz Outman studied pitching mechanics, trying to find a motion that would put less stress on the elbow and shoulder, maximize velocity and increase the rotation of the baseball on its way to home plate. He even wrote a book on the subject titled "Over Powering Pitching." Outman's problem with teaching what he had learned and perfected was the resistance that he encountered from coaches and scouts who believed in conventional pitching mechanics. The only two pitchers he could convince to pitch the way he thought they should pitch were his two sons, Josh and Zach. The delivery was unique. It called for the pitcher to begin his motion with his elbow at almost a ..."
A's negotiating with outfielder Gabe Gross
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January 31
Foxsports.com
 
"The A's are targeting a left-handed hitting outfielder, but it's not Johnny Damon. The team is in serious discussions with free agent Gabe Gross on a one- year contract, according to major-league sources. Gross, 30, spent last season and most of 2008 with the Rays. He is considered an above-average defender and decent threat against right- handed pitching, though his numbers last season were down across the board."
Oakland awards Wuertz with rare multi-year deal
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January 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It isn't often that Oakland offers multi-year deals to its arbitration-eligible players, but Michael Wuertz's impressive performance as the A's set-up man in 2009 has earned him a two-year contract with a club option for 2012. The right-hander will earn $2.2 million this year, $2.8 million next year, and the A's hold a $3.5 million option for 2012, with a buyout of $250,000. That option year covers what would have been Wuertz's first year of free agency, which really appealed to the A's after Wuertz's 2.63 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 782/3 innings in 2009. "He is very consistent," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said. "He very quickly made Bob (Geren, the A's manager) feel ..."
Michael Wuertz agrees to two-year, $5.25 million contract with A's
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January 30
Contra Costa Times
 
"Michael Wuertz's stellar relief work last season didn't create much buzz, but it didn't go unnoticed by the A's brass. The team rewarded the right-handed setup man Friday with a two-year, $5.25 million contract that includes a $3.5 million club option for 2012. Wuertz, 31, was the A's last unsigned arbitration-eligible player. "I'm relieved to have a little bit of security here," Wuertz said in a phone interview. "It's just a big thing for me and my family. We really enjoyed Oakland last year, and I'm ready to be part of something special, with some of the new guys we brought in." Wuertz, acquired from the Chicago Cubs last February, was asking for $2.9 million in arbitration, while the ..."
Oakland A's agree to two-year deal with reliever Michael Wuertz
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January 30
Contra Costa Times
 
"The A's avoid salary arbitration with reliever Michael Wuertz by agreeing to a $5.25 million, two-year contract on Friday. Wuertz, who was one of the top setup men in the major leagues last season, was the last of the three A's players who filed for arbitration to settle. Wuertz's deal also includes a club option for 2012. In 2009, Wuertz went 6-1 with four saves and a 2.63 ERA in a team-leading 74 appearances. He led AL relievers with 102 strikeouts in 78 2-3 innings."
Michael Wuertz agrees to two-year, $5.25 million contract with A's
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January 30
Oakland Tribune
 
"Michael Wuertz's stellar relief work last season didn't create much buzz, but it didn't go unnoticed by the A's brass. The team rewarded the right-handed setup man Friday with a two-year, $5.25 million contract that includes a $3.5 million club option for 2012. Wuertz, 31, was the A's last unsigned arbitration-eligible player. "I'm relieved to have a little bit of security here," Wuertz said in a phone interview. "It's just a big thing for me and my family. We really enjoyed Oakland last year, and I'm ready to be part of something special, with some of the new guys we brought in." Wuertz, acquired from the Chicago Cubs last February, was asking for $2.9 million in arbitration, while the ..."
A's owner Lew Wolff still waiting for stadium resolution
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January 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The long winter of Lew Wolff's impatience continues. The A's owner has been waiting . . . and waiting . . . and waiting . . . for Major League Baseball and commissioner Bud Selig to decide whether it would be possible for Wolff to pursue building a ballpark in downtown San Jose. Today's update: Wait for a further update. In the future. At a later time. On the horizon. Seriously, this is getting silly. Wolff isn't the only person who deserves an answer soon. So do the baseball fans of Northern California and the politicians of the Bay Area's four largest cities. Oh, yes. And the Giants, too. We are nearing the one-year anniversary of the so-called "Blue Ribbon Panel" that was appointed by ..."
Low-budget A's stay off union's list
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January 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist John Shea
"The Marlins were busted for pocketing revenue-sharing checks and forced to increase spending following complaints by the players' union. They responded by signing pitcher Josh Johnson to a $39 million contract and saying Dan Uggla is no longer trade bait. The union reportedly targeted the Marlins, Padres, Pirates and Rays as teams that weren't investing enough based on the revenue-sharing formula outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Those four teams ranked among the majors' bottom six in 2009 payroll. So did the A's. How did they get excused? After all, they were last in American League attendance last year. "That's because we have the lowest revenues," general manager Billy ..."
Ben Sheets is in a hurry to get going with the A's
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January 27
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Gary Peterson
"On his first night in the East Bay as a member of the A's, Ben Sheets enjoyed dinner and a show. The A's sprung for the former. He supplied the latter. "Before dinner, he said he wanted to throw," A's manager Bob Geren said Tuesday, shortly after Sheets had been introduced to the local media. "I asked him, 'Before or after dinner?' He said after." At some point between the appetizer and the dessert, it began to rain in Danville - hard enough to put a damper on the prospect of any kind of baseball activity. "I said, 'You all right throwing in the rain?' " Geren said. "He said, 'Heck yeah. Are you all right catching in the rain?' " If you happened to drive past Sycamore Valley Park on Monday ..."
Holliday gone, now it's Sheets
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January 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Ratto
"Since we long ago came to grips with the A's way of doing business, the acquisition of pitcher Ben Sheets is a lot less reckless than it at first seems to be. Then again, because we long ago came to grips with the A's way of doing business, it is also a lot less satisfying. True, it's another Matt Holliday special - a one-year, $10 million contract, minus whatever any trade partner might have to pick up at the deadline. It's the right length for Oakland - which likes to keep its deals with the injury-dogged flexible - and for Sheets - who wants to show baseball he is back to 100 percent and play the field next winter. And maybe it will have the added benefit of putting some scales on the ..."
Newest A(ce) Ben Sheets signs with Oakland
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January 27
Contra Costa Times
 
"The A's had cast their line in some high-priced free agent waters this winter, only to come up empty. They finally landed a big catch Tuesday, signing right-hander Ben Sheets to a one-year, $10 million contract that also could include up to $2 million in performance bonuses. A four-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers, Sheets missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing elbow surgery. But if he makes a healthy comeback, he'll join two-time All-Star Justin Duchscherer atop a promising rotation that was the major leagues' youngest last season. It's quite the high-priced gamble for the A's, who typically don't throw big money at free-agent pitchers and aren't viewed as strong contenders ..."
Oakland A's sign free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets
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January 26
Contra Costa Times
 
"The A's have agreed to terms with right-hander Ben Sheets on a one-year contract, with a press conference called for 1 p.m. today at the Oakland Coliseum to introduce the four-time All-Star. SI.com is reporting the deal is worth $10 million plus performance bonuses. That would be the largest one-year contract the A's have ever given a free agent they signed from outside their organization. That would also be a significant investment for a pitcher who missed all of last season because of elbow surgery, but the A's have been zeroed in on Sheets, 31, since he impressed scouts last week with a throwing session in Louisiana. Sheets reportedly hit the low-90's with his fastball and looked ..."
A's want to sign Sheets or Damon
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January 26
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's have some cash to spend and they're reportedly ready to offer a large chunk of it to free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets. Oakland, which struck out on free agents Marco Scutaro, Jamey Carroll and Adrian Beltre this winter, is apparently ready to move on to Johnny Damon if it can't lure Sheets. But, there are indications the A's are major players for Sheets. Damon had one of his worst seasons in the majors while playing for the A's in 2001 and it's not clear where he'd fit with the A's."
Sheets seeking $8 million deal
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January 25
SI.com
 
"The A's, Rangers and Mets are among teams considering free agent pitcher Ben Sheets, who raised his value with what was described by several scouts as an excellent showcase last week in Monroe, La. The A's tried this winter for Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre and Jamey Carroll, and they appear very much in the mix for Sheets. The AL West rival Rangers, who are getting a new ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan, also are looking at Sheets. The Mets came up a bit short in their efforts to sign Joel Pineiro, who went to the Angels for $16 million over two years and are looking at Sheets, Jon Garland, John Smoltz and Jarrod Washburn. Sheets has been seeking a guarantee of $8 ..."
A's prospect follows a calling
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January 23
Contra Costa Times
 
"Outfielder Grant Desme phoned A's general manager Billy Beane, and his news came from out of left field. One of the fastest-rising players in the A's farm system, Desme explained he was retiring from baseball to enter the Catholic priesthood. The team made the announcement Friday, one day after Desme told Beane of his decision. "It kind of knocked him off his horse," Desme, 23, said of Beane's reaction. Desme, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, delivered one of the finest statistical seasons in the minor leagues last year, hitting 31 homers with 89 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He was ranked the No. 8 prospect in Oakland's organization by Baseball America, and in November was named Most Valuable Player ..."
Oakland Prospect Retires to Join the Priesthood
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January 23
New York Times
 
"Grant Desme hit 31 home runs and stole 40 bases in Class A last season, and as an encore, he was named most valuable player of the Arizona Fall League. The Oakland Athletics had plans to invite Desme, a 23-year-old outfielder, to spring training next month. But Desme retired Friday to become a Roman Catholic priest. In a conference call with reporters, he said he would join St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, Calif., this August. "I love the game, but I'm going to aspire to higher things," Desme said. "I know I have no regrets." Desme, a second-round pick in the 2007 draft, told Oakland General Manager Billy Beane of his decision Friday and said Beane was supportive. Desme said his breakout ..."
A's prospect Grant Desme retiring from baseball to become a priest
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January 23
Contra Costa Times
 
"Grant Desme, one of the Oakland A's top prospects, has retired from baseball in order to enter the priesthood. The A's confirmed what FOXSports.com first reported Friday morning and will make Desme available to the media later Friday afternoon. "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors," said A's general manager Billy Beane. Desme, 23, established himself as a potential big-league standout by batting .288 with 31 home runs, 89 RBI and 40 stolen bases in a combined 131 games over two levels of minor-league play this season. He was minor league baseball's only 30-30 man."
Chavez happy to fill the role of utility man for A's
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January 22
San Francisco Examiner
 columnist Glenn Dickey
"The A's traded for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff because Eric Chavez can't be expected to play anything close to a full season, but Chavez is comfortable with his new role as a super utility player. "I think getting Kouzmanoff was a great move for the organization," Chavez told the media during a session at the Oakland Coliseum West Side Club on Thursday. "Since I've been here, it's always been about the team, not any one player. They needed a third baseman. I'm in the last year of my contract and I can't play a full season any more." Chavez has been rehabbing after still another operation - he's had five on his back and shoulders - and said he feels fine. "But I felt fine at this time ..."
A's to Fremont supporters to rally on Monday
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January 22
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a rally in support of bringing the Oakland A's to Fremont. Mayor Bob Wasserman is scheduled to attend the event, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Monday at the Saddle Rack, 42011 Boscell Road. "We're doing it to demonstrate that there is support for the A's coming to Fremont," said the chamber's Nina Moore. With the A's looking to move to San Jose against the wishes of the San Francisco Giants, Major League Baseball is studying alternative stadium sites in the East Bay, including a new plan to build a stadium in south Fremont on land owned by the NUMMI auto plant."
Crisp is healthy, happy, at center of defense
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January 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Coco Crisp wanted to make sure that everyone at the Coliseum on Thursday knew this story straight off: The A's new center fielder hit his very first home run in Oakland. There's no need to race to baseballreference.com if that doesn't sound familiar. Crisp reckons he was 11 years old, and the home run was at a ballpark near his aunt Diane's house and, well, it was actually in Richmond. "It was a tennis ball, and I hit it over the big fence - have you ever seen 'The Sandlot?' " said Crisp, who was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. "I was all excited and then I realized we had no more ball to play with. It was a huge fence, plus there was a dog on the other side." Crisp, 30, showed up ..."
Missed time puts a strain on A's Eric Chavez
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January 22
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"ERIC CHAVEZ watched through the years as members of his baseball family grew up and filed out of Oakland. Teammates with whom he had shared champagne-soaked clubhouses were routinely shown the door in the name of fiscal restraint. Chavez accepted it, got used to it. He understood he was employed by a company unwavering in its core belief that individuals are replaceable but dollars are precious. So he knew what it meant on that March afternoon nearly six years ago, when the A's honored him as the exception to their standard practice. He grasped the magnitude of the moment when Billy "Moneyball" Beane rolled a big ball of money into his lap. It meant the general manager with a reputation ..."
Chavez eyes more versatile role with A's
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January 21
MLB.com
 
"Eric Chavez has no interest in painting a perfectly pretty and pain-free picture of his future. If he did, green and gold colors would likely stand out among the rest. Diamonds -- the four-base kind, of course -- would sparkle all around. Gold Gloves would surely add a nice touch. The harsh reality, though, is that Chavez knows said picture isn't just a brushstroke away. In fact, the A's $66 million man realizes the chances of any of those things actually coming to life are slim. So Chavez is done thinking about plans, let alone making them. And he's done promising anything -- to fans, teammates, employers and, most importantly, himself -- until his body gives him permission to do ..."
The man who would've kept A's in Oakland
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January 21
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Dave Newhouse
"WE CAN ONLY speculate what the Oakland A's would be like now if Bob Piccinini's attempt to buy the franchise in 1999 hadn't been shot down inexplicably by Major League Baseball. One smart guess is that nobody would be talking about Fremont or San Jose. Eleven years later, the A's boll weevil ownership keeps looking for a new home, the team's roster has had more face lifts than Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller combined, and, predictably, community involvement has suffered. That's not what Piccinini, the Modesto-based supermarket mogul, had in mind when he deemed Oakland the ideal spot for A's baseball. "We were under the belief," Piccinini said, "that the ownership (of Steve Schott and Ken ..."
A's agree to deals with Kouzmanoff, Davis; Among teams scouting Ben Sheets
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January 20
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's avoided arbitration with two players expected to play key roles this season, agreeing to one-year contracts with third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielder Rajai Davis on Tuesday. Kouzmanoff, obtained Saturday in a trade from the San Diego Padres, will make $3.1 million. Davis will get $1.35 million but can earn more if he hits incentives based on plate appearances. The A's are left with one unsigned arbitration-eligible player - reliever Michael Wuertz, who made $1.1 million in 2009 and enjoyed a strong season as Oakland's setup man. Teams were required to exchange salary figures Tuesday with their arbitration-eligible players. According to AOL Fanhouse, Wuertz asked for $2.9 ..."
A's agree to deals with Rajai Davis, Kevin Kouzmanoff
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January 19
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Oakland A's avoided arbitration with new third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielder Rajai Davis, agreeing on one-year contracts with both on Tuesday. The A's have one arbitration eligible player remaining on the roster: right-handed pitcher Michael Wuertz. Davis reportedly will get a $1.35 million deal, according to SI.com. Davis began the 2009 season as the A's fourth outfielder but played himself into a starting role in center field and ended up hitting .305 in 125 games. He started 86 of the A's final 114 games beginning June 1 and hit .324 over that span, which was the fourth best mark in the American League."
Chavez doesn't mind utility role
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January 17
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Kevin Kouzmanoff's arrival in Oakland means that Eric Chavez, a six-time Gold Glove third baseman, essentially will become a utility player if he is healthy. "I've always been open to playing anywhere," Chavez said. "I've taken a lot of pride in being the best third baseman I can be, but I've never felt that third base is what I have to be." The A's completed the trade Saturday for Kouzmanoff and minor-league infielder Eric Sogard, sending outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham to the Padres. Kouzmanoff will be Oakland's everyday third baseman, taking over for one of his idols. "That guy is a heck of a ballplayer, man. I've got some competition," Kouzmanoff said on a conference ..."
A's complete trade for Kouzmanoff
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January 17
Oakland Tribune
 
"No sooner had third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff entered the A's fold Saturday than he was heaping praise upon the man he figures to be replacing on more than a part-time basis. Eric Chavez "has actually been one of my favorite players to watch," Kouzmanoff said after his acquisition from the San Diego Padres officially had been completed, finishing the A's search for a third baseman. "I've admired him for a long time. I've loved his game, and loved watching him play." What the A's would love just as much would be watching Kouzmanoff and Chavez playing on the same infield at the same time. General manager Billy Beane, who sent outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham to the Padres for ..."
A's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff
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January 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Third base was Oakland's primary unknown going into camp next month, but on Friday evening, the team was close to swinging a deal for San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff and a prospect. Images View Larger Image Oakland AthleticsAthletics HomeThe Drumbeat BlogSchedule | Roster Standings | Stats MLBPlayers | Scoreboard Stats | Teams Fan ZoneReader PhotosFan ForumsBuy TicketsFan Shop Get your A's gear here More AthleticsA's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff 01.15.10A's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff 01.16.10McGwire turns steroids admission into denial 01.14.10McGwire saga shows that big guys always win 01.13.10Outfielder Scott Hairston, acquired from the Padres in July, is ..."
Canseco: McGwire not fully forthcoming
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January 12
ESPN.com
 
"Mark McGwire admitted Monday to using steroids during his career, but Jose Canseco contends McGwire is not being entirely forthcoming about the matter. Canseco, whose book "Juiced" fueled congressional hearings into performance-enhancing drugs in 2005, revisited one topic Tuesday that he wrote about in the book: that he and McGwire injected each other with steroids in the clubhouse bathroom stalls before games when they were teammates with the Oakland Athletics from 1986 to '92. McGwire denied that claim in an interview Monday night on the MLB Network, telling interviewer Bob Costas that it wasn't true and that Canseco must have made the claim to help sell "Juiced." "I've got no problems ..."
A's ballpark opponents reorganizing for stadium battle
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January 12
Oakland Tribune
 
"In the words of baseball great Yogi Berra, it's déjà vu all over again. Nearly one year after A's co-owner Lew Wolff broke off talks with Fremont, the city once again is making a pitch for the team, and opponents are criticizing both the city's plan and the process, which has proceeded behind closed doors leading up to this evening's ?City Council meeting. However, one thing has changed: The city now wants to take the stadium plan to voters in November. Mayor Bob Wasserman, who opposed a stadium referendum two years ago, said a nonbinding vote this time around could show the A's that residents want them. Hundreds of residents rallied against a previous stadium plan last year, with some ..."
Admission doesn't jolt ex-teammates
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January 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Mark McGwire's former A's teammates found themselves in a curious position Monday - glad McGwire finally came clean about his steroid use and adamant in insisting his admission does not tarnish what Oakland accomplished in the late 1980s and early '90s. Those A's teams accomplished plenty - four American League West titles during a five-year stretch (1988-92), three World Series appearances (1988-90) and one championship ('89). McGwire now is the second key player to acknowledge steroid use, joining Jose Canseco. McGwire, in his public statements, said he tried steroids briefly after the 1989 season but did not begin taking them consistently until after the '93 season. "I would like to ..."
Ex-St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire admits to taking steroids while breaking home run record
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January 11
New York Daily News
 
"Mark McGwire, the St. Louis Cardinals slugger whose home run legacy was tainted by performance-enhancing drug allegations, admitted using steroids in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday. McGwire acknowledged using steroids on and off for nearly a decade and apologized for his illicit drug use. "I wish I had never touched steroids," McGwire's statement to the AP said. "It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era." At a late October press conference to announce that Tony La Russa would return to St. Louis for at least one more year, the Cardinals coach said that McGwire would return to the team as its ..."
Fremont deals again for the A's
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January 9
Contra Costa Times
 
"Fremont re-entered the bidding Friday to become the new home of the Oakland A's by 2015 with a proposed 36,000-seat ballpark on land owned by the NUMMI auto plant. Major League Baseball asked the city to submit stadium plans while it determines whether a suitable stadium site exists for the A's in the East Bay. The city would buy the land in south Fremont and make about $62 million in infrastructure improvements - including a pedestrian bridge to a new BART station - while the A's would privately finance construction of the ballpark, between interstates 880 and 680. The A's last year had considered two other Fremont sites before ending negotiations with the city and turning its attention ..."
Mets claim reliever Marshall from A's
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January 9
New York Post
 
"The New York Mets added to their bullpen on Friday with the addition of southpaw Jay Marshall off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. Marshall, 26, was 0-2 with a 14.72 ERA in 10 outings out of the Oakland bullpen following his Aug. 9 promotion to the Majors, but had been one of Triple-A Sacramento's more effective relievers prior to that, going 5-3 with seven saves and a 3.20 ERA in 50 games with the River Cats."
DH Jack Cust rejoins A's
Comment
January 8
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's were the first team to give Jack Cust a legitimate shot in the major leagues. So after the two parties went their separate ways last month, it wasn't a complete shock to see them reunite Thursday. Cust agreed to a one-year, $2.65 million contract with the A's, supplying much-needed power that Oakland has yet to land elsewhere in free agency. Incentives could bump his earnings to $3 million. Cust, expected to be the regular designated hitter, led the A's in homers each of the past three seasons. But when they didn't tender him a contract by the Dec. 12 deadline, the arbitration-eligible slugger became a free agent. The A's left the door open to bring him back, and Cust credited the ..."
Cust signs with A's
Comment
January 8
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Cust, who is expected to primarily fill the role of designated hitter now that Oakland has another fulltime outfielder in Coco Crisp, can earn an additional $350,000 in incentives, based on plate appearances. The A's re-signed right-hander Justin Duchscherer last week. Oakland had not offered Cust arbitration, but A's assistant general manager David Forst said, "We said all along that was not an indication of our desire to bring Jack back or not. We felt it was the right move from a resource standpoint." Forst said the A's hope had been to "get the last crack at it" and top any other offers Cust received, but it never came to that. The A's made an outright proposal Wednesday that Cust ..."
A's re-sign Jack Cust to one-year, $2.65 million contract
Comment
January 7
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Oakland A's have reportedly re-signed Jack Cust to a one-year, $2.65 million contract, SI.com reported Thursday. Cust, who was non-tendered by the A's on Dec. 12, batted .240 with 25 homers and 70 RBI in 149 games for the A's last season. He led Oakland in home runs, walks (93) and strikeouts (185). The 30-year-old has been the A's home run leader in each of the past three seasons. Cust has also led the American League in strikeouts the past three seaons."