Bobby Crosby News

The A's have agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free-agent third baseman Dallas McPherson, assistant general manager David Forst confirmed.

Free agent third baseman Dallas McPherson has agreed to terms with the Oakland A's on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training camp, his agent said.

A's closer Andrew Bailey was driving back from his morning workout Monday, chatting with one of his agents on the phone, when a call came in on the other line, a blocked number.

If you're going to tout yourself as an organization committed to player development, it helps when you can trot out a fully developed player.

The A's created some waves last winter by trading for Matt Holliday and signing free agent Jason Giambi.

Now that baseball's postseason is over, it's time to fire up the Hot Stove. Eligible players are free to file for free agency the day after the World Series ends, so Hideki Matsui's heroics to help the Yankees close out the Phillies on Wednesday opened the filing floodgates.

Veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Los Angeles Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.

This is the debut of "Ascending A's," a regular offseason feature in which Oakland director of player development Keith Lieppman and director of player personnel Billy Owens will provide analysis on various top prospects in the organization.

Coming off two seasons in which their offense ranked near the bottom of the American League in virtually every significant category, the A's entered 2009 with high hopes and one of the best on-paper lineups in the league.

I'm sure you talk to other writers; do you think there's a chance Andrew Bailey has a shot at Rookie of the Year? -- Henry J., Concord, Calif.

The A's came into the season with an untested but promising pitching staff and a new cast of hitters to bolster the lineup.

A's manager Bob Geren tends to paint everything in the rosiest possible hues. His boss, general manager Billy Beane, takes a more balanced view.

A's right-hander Clayton Mortensen was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of drunk driving, the team announced in a release circulated during Sunday's 5-3 season-closing defeat to the Los Angeles Angels.

Bobby Crosby is no longer under contract with Oakland. Right now, he plays for every other team just as much as he plays for the A's. I love that.

Left-hander Scott Kazmir cruised through five quick innings in his final tuneup for the postseason on Saturday, helping the Angels to a 4-2 victory over the A's in the hump game of a three-game series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The A's acquired Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday last winter hoping to boost their sagging power numbers from 2008.

Maybe it's not a West Coast thing after all. Maybe it's an Oakland thing. After the White Sox had lost 20 of 24 games to the A's on the West Coast, they figured maybe they could get something going back in the Midwest.

Sidney Crosby left the Pittsburgh Penguins' exhibition game against Columbus early in the first period Thursday night because of a groin injury that wasn't believed to be serious.

Nomar Garciaparra of the A's is one of the best shortstops of his generation, but he's 36 years old and no longer an everyday player.

It was a homer, really! They just don't call them that way once you get past Little League ball.