With the news coming that the Chicago White Sox reaching a deal with free-agent slugger Adam Dunn, the A’s are officially out of the running to land Dunn. Dunn, 31, was looking for a four-year deal, which according to reports, is what he received from Chicago.
The A’s meanwhile, can focus on the remaining players still available in the market. According to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, the A’s have made a big push toward signing 3B Adrian Beltre. The A’s, who have 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and 3B Edwin Encarnacion as potential non-tender candidates, could make a big push toward landing Beltre now that Dunn is off the market.
Also mentioned in the post by the Chronicle, was the idea that the A’s could potentially go after Lance Berkman, since they’re figured to non-tender DH Jack Cust. The A’s have strong starting pitching, and adding Berkman and Beltre to the offense could really put the A’s in a position to contend next season. The A’s also have until Dec. 7 to negotiate a contract with Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. Landing all three players (Beltre, Berkman, and Iwakuma) would be a HUGE winter for Billy Beane and the rest of the A’s front office.
You can check out the SF Chronicle’s original post about the A’s non-tendering Jack Cust, and of the Adam Dunn to the White Sox deal by clicking here.
The A’s missed out on Dunn, but hopefully the team can still land an impact hitter or two sooner rather than later. Keep checking back here for all the latest updates around A’s baseball.