FanPost

WLD 2.21-22.09: Nomah!

Welcome to your final Buancast-free weekend!

Buster Olney says the A's have interest in Nomar Garciaparra:

Oakland's interest in him is presumably to help them balance their lineup: The right-handed hitting Garciaparra hammered lefties last season, going 19-for-56, with four homers and a 1.067 OPS. The Athletics are heavy in left-handed hitters, with left fielder Jack Cust, designated hitter Jason Giambi, first baseman Daric Barton and third baseman Eric Chavez, among others.

Garciaparra, 35, batted .264 in 55 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, as he battled injuries.

Oakland has maintained an interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who would appear to have very few options with spring training now started and with most teams tapped out for money.
From across the bay comes a touching and feel-good story about one Giant Bocock:
You might remember Brian Bocock’s plight last summer. The Triple-A shortstop prospect developed a circulation disorder that caused three fingers to turn blue on his right hand. The injury forced him out of action in mid-June and he missed the rest of the season. [...]

"The doctors had me on baby aspirin, anti-inflammatories, blood thinners, and, well … Viagra," Bocock said, sheepishly. [...]

But it was worth any embarrassment. The Viagra did what it was supposed to do – and then some.

"Let’s just put it this way," Bocock said. "I can’t imagine what 100 milligrams does to you."
100 milligrams gets you traded to Kansas City where you become a Royal Bocock.

Apologies for the abbreviated dump. I mostly just wanted to type "one Giant Bocock."

What else is goin' on?

Sunday Morning Update - SuSlu has more on Nomar and Cabrera:
Nomar Garciaparra is in serious talks with the A's about a backup third base/first base role. Garciaparra is also believed to be weighing an offer from the Phillies.

Any deal with Garciaparra, 35, would not keep Oakland from signing free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, a source said, but there is still a significant gap between the A's and Cabrera. While Cabrera has dropped his salary demands from $9 million-plus to around $5.5 million, that is still too pricey for the A's.
She also notes that we're still in the running for bullpen lefties Dennys Reyes and Andrew Sisco.