[oakas]

So much for relief pitcher Grant Balfour returning to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Balfour has agreed to a two-year, $8.1-million deal with the A's that includes a 2013 option, ending results of a physical scheduled for Monday.
Also, another possibility to join the Rays lineup is off the board as Jim Thome re-signed with the Twins.
Balfour will be the sixth reliever to leave the Rays and sign elsewhere. They will get two draft picks for him, but because Oakland finished among the 15 worst teams, it's first-round picks is protected. Instead, the Rays would get another compensation pick between rounds one and two (their seventh), and Oakland's second-round pick.
Overall, the Rays would have three first-round picks, 10 before the start of the second round and 12 in the first two rounds.
Earlier this week, Balfour was considering a return to the Rays on a one-year deal, having been unable to land the multi-yeat contract he was seeking. With the A's offer including two guaranteed years, he found it. Plus, the A's reportedly agreed not to offer him arbitration at the end of the deal so he would be a free agent without compensation.

[Terrapin Station]

As an Oakland fan, I like the move a lot. Just another arm to add to the killer bullpen.

[oakas]

As an Oakland fan, I like the move a lot. Just another arm to add to the killer bullpen.

I do too, T S.

I really think that the Oakland Athletics may be a factor in the American League West.

[Terrapin Station]

Agree oakas, Oakland is primed for 2011. Actually, on a whole, I think the AL West is going to be a pretty solid division.

I think we'll be looking at a breakout season for Cliff Pennington as well. Maybe it's the 'homer' in me , but I really don't see any glaring weaknesses for the A's. Sure, Kouzmanoff isn't going to be an All Star, but he plays a tight 3rd and can add some pop to the lineup.

Great time to be an A's fan.

[BRAVES1985]

good arm to have

[Terrapin Station]

Just read on mlbtraderumors.com that the A's are "pushing" to sign Brian Fuentes as well. If it does happen, I'd love it.

[smitch124]

Add Fuentes to the pen (more than $5 million per for 2 years), A's are really making a push this year. They need some people to go to their games this year, though.

[Terrapin Station]

A winning club and the addition of Matsui will help draw people to the Coliseum. I'm really expecting a solid attendance increase for the A's in 2011.

[mukas pukas]

The Rays are completely dissolving. You feel for an organization that's pulled all the right strings and worked hard to build a winner, but they have zero fan base to sustain the success.

[mukas pukas]

and yet another reason I'm really really liking Oakland next year in their division

[Terrapin Station]

The Rays are completely dissolving. You feel for an organization that's pulled all the right strings and worked hard to build a winner, but they have zero fan base to sustain the success.

Agree. They had a solid run over the past few years though...