The Oakland Athletics and left-handed reliever Alan Embree agreed to a US$5.5- million, two-year contract Wednesday, and the club also was closing in on a one-year deal with Mike Piazza.
Oakland general manager Billy Beane didn't expect anything to be finalized with Piazza until later in the week.
``I don't think it's any secret we've been pursuing Mike Piazza and I would say we're getting close,'' Beane said. ``Anytime you complete a contract there are T's to be crossed and I's to be dotted. We're optimistic we're near the finish line.''
Embree receives a $250,000 signing bonus, $2.25 million next season and $3 million in 2008. His contract also includes a $3-million team option for 2009.
He will upgrade an already strong bullpen for the defending AL West champions and could replace Joe Kennedy, who might move into the starting rotation.
``Year in and year out they find a way to win, whatever their payroll,'' said Embree, who grew up in Oregon watching the A's. ``That's very intriguing.''
Beane arrived in Florida on Wednesday _ two days after the start of the winter meetings _ and immediately got to work.
Piazza, who would replace Frank Thomas as the team's designated hitter, was deciding between an offer from the A's and one from the Rangers, but Texas officials said Wednesday they were out of the mix.
``We need a right-handed bat and we need one in the middle of the order,'' Beane said. ``Piazza fits that bill if we're able to bring it to a conclusion.''
Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, spoke several times Tuesday with Beane. This would be Piazza's first time playing in the American League after spending the first 15 years of his big league career in the NL as a catcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.
While he won't do much catching for the A's _ serving as the DH 99.9 per cent of the time according to Beane _ the GM expects Piazza will have all his gear at the ready to help out come spring training. They spoke a couple of times last week and Beane said ``he seems like a real bright, good guy.''
Piazza, who would be the No. 3 catcher for the A's behind starter Jason Kendall and backup Adam Melhuse, batted .283 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 126 games this year for the NL West champion Padres, his lone season in San Diego.
Thomas agreed to an $18.12-million, two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last month. The 38-year-old slugger batted .270 and led the A's with 39 homers and 114 RBIs this year.
The 36-year-old Embree went 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA in a career-high 73 outings for the Padres in 2006, his 13th major league season. It was the eighth straight season he made at least 60 appearances.
``Alan had a great year last year,'' Beane said. ``He's been a consistent reliever over his career. Left-handers are hard to find. It impacts the starting rotation by pushing someone in there.''
With Embree, the A's will have seven players under contract beyond next season. Beane is still talking to representatives for outfielder Jay Payton about bringing him back. Hiram Bocachica, already in the organization, is a candidate to fill an outfield spot.
Beane is satisfied with how his team is taking shape for new manager Bob Geren. The A's were swept in four games by the Detroit Tigers in the AL championship series after beating the Minnesota Twins for the club's first playoff series victory since 1990.
``I think we've sort of accomplished a lot with the couple moves,'' Beane said. ``We've got a lot of the winter to go. There will be a certain amount of hyperactivity.''
Oakland, which plans to pick a player in Thursday's winter meeting draft, also released right-hander Juan Dominguez on Wednesday.
