Harden expects to be healthy in 2013
--RHP Rich Harden had surgery to repair the torn capsule in his right shoulder on Jan. 31 in Pensacola, Fla., with Dr. James Andrews performing the procedure. Harden told the San Francisco Chronicle he believes he will be able to return to full strength for the 2013 season, and that he would consider pitching in relief. Harden said he first incurred the injury trying to field a comebacker over his head barehanded on April 15, 2007.
--DH Manny Ramirez remains an A's target, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which reported that if the team signs the free agent, it likely would be just before the start of spring camp. Ramirez must sit out the first 50 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy, which would allow Oakland to try some younger player such as Chris Carter and Kila Ka'aihue in that spot initially.
--DH Hideki Matsui is still a "longshot" for Oakland, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which reported that the team has been in contact with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem. The A's might turn to Matsui, though, if their pursuit of Manny Ramirez falls through.
--RHP Koji Uehara is a potential trade target for the A's, according to FoxSports.com and confirmed by the San Francisco Chronicle. The Rangers are looking to trade the reliever, obtained from Baltimore last season. The A's traded two relievers, Andrew Bailey and Craig Breslow, this winter.
--1B Kila Ka'aihue is likely to get a look at DH if the A's do not sign Manny Ramirez or another free-agent slugger before spring training, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Ka'aihue, 27, has 165 career homers in the minors. The A's picked him up on waivers from the Royals at the end of last season.
BY THE NUMBERS
730 -- Walks in 10 minor-league seasons for Kila Ka'aihue, who might get a crack at the A's DH job this spring.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Of course, absolutely I'm rooting for him. Not me. It's got nothing to do with me. It's all about Brad. He's a great guy, and I do want him to win for his sake, not for me. He's the one who put himself on the line. He's one of the producers, and he was the driving force behind getting the movie made. Anything he gets, he deserves." -- A's general manager Billy Beane, who told the San Francisco Chronicle that he will be attending the Feb. 26 Oscars in support of Best Actor nominee Brad Pitt, who plays Beane in "Moneyball."
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
