A’s Sign Russ Springer

FRIDAY: Slusser says Springer will earn $3.3MM plus another possible $300K for games pitched.

THURSDAY: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Springer deal is official and is worth more than $3MM plus incentives.

WEDNESDAY: Springer apparently took his physical today, though his deal with the A’s is not yet official.  The A’s told reliever Andrew Brown they’re releasing him to make room for Springer, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

MONDAY: The AP says the A’s are "close to finalizing" the Springer deal, with the physical the final step remaining.  Not sure why they didn’t say an agreement has been reached, then.

SATURDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal, the A’s are "closing in on" a deal with Russ Springer. Rosenthal’s source says the A’s and Springer are "making progress, but not done." They’re working towards a contract worth about $3MM plus incentives.

Rosenthal adds that the A’s are ready to make a strong attempt to sign Orlando Cabrera if his asing price isn’t too high.

Unlike Cabrera, Springer wasn’t offered arbitration, so the A’s won’t have to surrender a draft pick to the Cardinals if the deal becomes official, despite Springer’s status as a Type A free agent.