Oakland adds some depth

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics and Jonny Gomes were working Thursday to finalize a deal that would provide the team with outfield depth, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.

The person confirmed the pending contract on condition of anonymity because the club had yet to formally announce the acquisition of Gomes, who grew up in nearby Petaluma and is still loved in wine country. The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report the sides were close to a deal Thursday.

The 31-year-old Gomes batted .209 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs last year for Cincinnati and Washington in his ninth major league season.

Oakland's starting outfield is slated as newly acquired Seth Smith in left, re-signed Coco Crisp in centre and new acquisition Josh Reddick in right. Collin Cowgill, acquired from Arizona in December, also is in the mix off the bench.

The A's have transformed their roster this winter, with general manager Billy Beane trading away many of his top pitchers.

Last month, the A's sent starter Trevor Cahill to the Diamondbacks along with reliever Craig Breslow, and all-star lefty Gio Gonzalez to the Washington Nationals. Oakland also dealt all-star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox on Dec. 28.

Oakland is expected to announce in the coming days that it has agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Bartolo Colon.

Beane and A's owner Lew Wolff hope that Commissioner Bud Selig will rule the franchise can relocate some 65 kilometres south to San Jose and build a new ballpark. But the San Francisco Giants hold the territorial rights to technology-rich Silicon Valley. Selig said at the recent owners meetings a resolution "is very much on the front burner."

He appointed a committee in March 2009 to study the situation.