[EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm pulling this story to the front page. Ken Rosenthal may not always get things right (like spelling Loaiza incorrectly), but he was the first one on the Kendall deal last season.

I really like this deal, although I'm not so sure I like three years for $21 million. Especially considering Loaiza made only $2.9 last season. But if the A's keep Zito, they would have the best rotation in baseball, bar none. Loaiza would effectively be a fifth starter. It would be Zito, Harden, Haren, Blanton and Loaiza. Josh Beckett or no, that's one quality rotation right there. The A's rotation would also be set up in case Zito doesn't sign an extension. Not only that, you can then put Saarloos in the pen and with that sinker, he can be a great addition to the bullpen. So you're improving your team in two areas by signing Loaiza.

Yeah, yeah, Loaiza hasn't been his 2003 self, but the important thing that Billy Beane looks at carefully is the strikeouts to walks (173 to 55 - he also has 484 k's to 172 walks over his past three seasons). He also loves a healthy pitcher. And Loaiza pitched 217 innings last year. Loaiza is also a fly ball pitcher and should be helped with the tremendous foul ground in Oakland. I think around $7 million is overpaying a bit, but there isn't much you can do about where the market is right now. The market is high for starting pitching. - Blez]

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the A's are about to land Esteban Loaiza. I don't know whether to like this signing or scratch my head..lets see Zito, Loaiza, Harden, Blanton, Haren..or is this the first step of bigger things to come?? Is BB setting things up for a surprise big bat?? Or are we going to have one of the best rotations in recent memory??