Oakland Athletics Wiretap

Beane Happy Zito Didn't Stay In AL West

The Rangers and Mariners were both interested in Barry Zito, which are rivalries that trump the local one for the A's.

"Given the fact that there appeared to be interest within the division, it's nice to know he won't be pitching for one of our rivals,'' Oakland general manager Billy Beane said.

Via San Francisco Chronicle

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Durazo Gets Invite To Oakland's Spring Training

Currently starring for Hermasillo of the Mexican Winter League, Erubiel Durazo on Tuesday told a Mexican radio station -- after hitting three home runs in a game -- that he was rejoining the A's.

Asked to confirm Durazo's announcement, Oakland assistant GM David Forst, responding to a voicemail from MLB.com while traveling late Wednesday, promptly did so with a brief text message.

"On a plane," Forst wrote. "Minor League deal for Ruby. Invite to camp."

Via MLB.com

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Zito On A Downward Trajectory?

Will Scott Boras' decision to delay actively seeking suitors for Barry Zito cost him?

With so many teams having spent a lot of money already this off-season, the market for Zito appears to comes down to Texas and the Mets.

Some scouts do not believe he is worth the money Boras seeks for his client.

Asked whether they would give Zito a six-year deal, both a major-league scout and a major-league GM guessed they wouldn't. If the Mets don't offer a sixth year, it could prevent a deal from getting done.

"I think he's slipped," one major-league scout told The Post. "The last two times I've seen him the last couple years, he wasn't on at all. He struggled getting his breaking ball over for strikes, and when he does that, he's in trouble. He can't get by on a power arm."

Via New York Post

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