2010/2011 A's off-season random rumblings

[Providence A's]

It appears the A's won't strike a deal with SP Iwakuma and that they've pulled their offer(s) to Beltre. Werth is off the board and Berkman turned down a 2-year offer from the A's.

Supposedly, everyone except Werth and Zimmerman are available from the Nationals. Maybe Beane can pluck LF Willingham from them.

[Providence A's]

It looks like Hideki Matsui may end up with the A's as the DH. Hardly the big bat I was looking for.

[love_that_reefer]

But not a bad bat to have. He should easily replace Cust as DH and with a lot less strikeouts.

[Providence A's]

Eh. I'm not too excited about it.

Apparently, the A's are close to signing SP Brandon McCarthy, too.

[love_that_reefer]

Seems like the A's got Matsui for less than $5 million according to Jon Heyman. Not bad at all. And McCarthy is a nice low risk move for the A's too. The A's offense should definitely be better this year as should the overall team.

[Providence A's]

The A's have signed Harden to a deal worth $1.5 plus incentives. He will be pitching out of the pen.

Twitter / Jon Heyman: rich harden is back with # ...
Twitter / Susan Slusser: I'm hearing that the #Athl ...

They also got a 20-year old OF from the Dbacks in the minor league Rule 5 draft.

Twitter / Matt Eddy: #Athletics acquire OF Jose ...

[love_that_reefer]

Harden as a reliever might just work. He's got to find better control but if Kerry Wood can do it, I think Harden can do it too. It will good to see Harden back in Oakland.

[love_that_reefer]

A's got Josh Willingham from the Nats for Corey Brown and Henry Rodriguez. I must say the A's have had the second best offseason thus far right behind the Red Sox

[Providence A's]

I would have preferred to keep H-Rod...

[Kingdom]

So long, O'Henry Jr.

[Providence A's]

Now go sign Beltre damn it. Make it happen O'Beane!

[love_that_reefer]

Sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that the Athletics are targeting Chad Qualls and Hideki Okajima among free agent relievers.
The A's have pulled out of talks for Adrian Beltre, but they are prepared to allocate some of those funds to improve the ballclub in other areas. Both Qualls and Okajima are coming off down seasons, but they would be nice buy-low options for any number of teams. The team may also pursue another infielder, possibly as a backup to Kevin Kouzmanoff at third base.

Beane is really doing a great job this offseason and if he gets these two for cheap, even better.

[Providence A's]

Okajima has resigned with the Red Sox. Qualls remains a target and possibly some sort of 3B. I'm not sure who else is out there as far as a potential trade, but whatever. Enjoy Anaheim Beltre.

[Providence A's]

After adding MR Balfour, it seems the A's may be going after MR Fuentes and they're still looking to add another bat.

Sources: A's want Fuentes - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN

They also avoided arbitration with Ziegler.

Twitter / Buster Olney: Source: Oakland has settle ...

1 year, $1.25 mil

[Providence A's]

The A's are close with Fuentes.

Twitter / Jon Heyman: fuentes deal that's close ...