A’s Notes: Contracts, Uniforms, & More!

The A’s reached agreements with a few players earlier last week, and did not have to go through an arbitration hearing.

Oakland reached a deal with reliever Craig Breslow earlier last week, reports the A’s official site. According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, the A’s rewarded Breslow with a $1.4 million contract, after he earned just $425,000 in 2010.

Breslow, 30, went 4-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 74.2 innings this year out of Oakland’s bullpen. The A’s bullpen will be a big strength heading into the 2011 season, and getting Breslow signed was a priority for the team, as he figures to be a key figure in Oakland’s ‘pen.

The A’s also made small headlines when they acquired Andy LaRoche, and traded for Ethan Hollingsworth from Colorado in exchange for Clayton Mortensen.

LaRoche, 27, is the younger brother of Adam LaRoche, and will provide the A’s with a little depth this spring. The team gave LaRoche, who hit .206 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 102 games last season with Pittsburgh, a spring training invite.

Hollingsworth, 23, does not have any big league experience, as he has yet to really pitch over Class A. Nevertheless, the A’s value pitching, and that’s exactly what they got.

Also making news was the fact that the team decided to change their uniforms this season. The A’s will now feature a golden uniform (which definitely catches the eye) that serve as their home alternatives.

In other semi-related A’s news, former A’s 3B/DH Eric Chavez is reportedly drawing interest from multiple clubs this offseason. Among them are the Dodgers, White Sox, Marlins, Mariners, and possibly the Yankees. Chavez, 33, has spent the last four seasons battling injuries, but was once a highly regarded player, as he won six-consecutive Gold Gloves for his work at third.

Former A’s pitcher Justin Duchscherer, who is also a two-time All-Star (both with Oakland), has reportedly signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who keep getting better…