A’s Rumors: Manny Ramirez and Koji Uehara Trade Talks
By Editorial Staff
Yesterday the Oakland Athletics made Yoenis Cespedes their highest paid player, but it doesn’t sound like they’re finished shopping. Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the A’s are continuing to target relievers Koji Uehara and Mike Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle added that Oakland is still seen as the favorite to sign free agent Manny Ramirez.
The Rangers have made it clear that they are willing to move Uehara, and the right-hander has drawn significant interest this offseason. Texas is reportedly seeking prospects in exchange for Uehara, and the A’s are hoping to add another reliever before the spring. Uehara has experience pitching late in games and recorded 13 saves for the Orioles in 2010.
In addition to Uehara, the A’s are keeping tabs on free agent left-hander Mike Gonzalez. After signing a lucrative deal with the Orioles following his successful 2009 campaign, Gonzalez has struggled. Over the past two years the 33-year-old has posted an ERA of 4.27.
Gonzalez isn’t the only free agent the A’s have been eyeing this winter. Manny Ramirez continues to be linked to Oakland, and it now appears that the A’s are favored to sign the slugger. It was reported that Ramirez was deciding between the A’s, Blue Jays and Orioles, but Baltimore and Toronto have apparently removed themselves from consideration.
So, after all of their wheeling and dealing and the unexpected signing of Yoenis Cespedes, how good do you think the 2012 Oakland A’s are going to be? Beyond this season, do you think the A’s have put themselves in a position to contend for an AL West crown in the near future?
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