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(01-12) 19:32 PST --
The A's and the Braves edged closer to completing a deal that would send center fielder Mark Kotsay to Atlanta in exchange for right-handed reliever Joey Devine.
Oakland also could receive a Class-A pitcher in the deal, according to a Braves source. Oakland will pay $5 million of Kotsay's $7 million salary for 2008, and the A's also will pick up the $325,000 relocation bonus Kotsay is to receive for being traded.
Kotsay is expected to have a physical in Atlanta on Monday, the Braves source said. When the A's acquired Kotsay from San Diego before the 2004 season, his medical history and the physical delayed things for several days; he has a history of back trouble and he had surgery to repair a disk in his lower back in March. "That's why this is still kind of a tentative thing," the Braves source said.
Kotsay said he has been hitting for the past month, the earliest he's been able to do so in years, and he said he feels great. If the Braves are convinced he's fine, the deal could be announced as soon as Monday.
Devine, 24, was the Braves' first-round pick in 2005 and he was brought up later that year, but he had a rough time, giving up grand slams in his first two big-league appearances, then he gave up Chris Burke's walk-off homer in the 18th inning of Game 4 of the 2005 NL Division Series against Houston, ending Atlanta's season.
"He was rushed to the big leagues," one major-league scout said. "He's got great makeup, but that kind of left him shell-shocked. A change of scenery will be good for him."
Two industry sources speculated Saturday that if the A's land Devine, they will look to move closer Huston Street. General manager Billy Beane has made no secret that he's rebuilding the team, "full bore."
Beane was not available for comment Saturday. He and his wife, Tara, welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, Jan. 4.
The A's and the Braves edged closer to completing a deal that would send center fielder Mark Kotsay to Atlanta in exchange for right-handed reliever Joey Devine.
Oakland also could receive a Class-A pitcher in the deal, according to a Braves source. Oakland will pay $5 million of Kotsay's $7 million salary for 2008, and the A's also will pick up the $325,000 relocation bonus Kotsay is to receive for being traded.
Kotsay is expected to have a physical in Atlanta on Monday, the Braves source said. When the A's acquired Kotsay from San Diego before the 2004 season, his medical history and the physical delayed things for several days; he has a history of back trouble and he had surgery to repair a disk in his lower back in March. "That's why this is still kind of a tentative thing," the Braves source said.
Kotsay said he has been hitting for the past month, the earliest he's been able to do so in years, and he said he feels great. If the Braves are convinced he's fine, the deal could be announced as soon as Monday.
Devine, 24, was the Braves' first-round pick in 2005 and he was brought up later that year, but he had a rough time, giving up grand slams in his first two big-league appearances, then he gave up Chris Burke's walk-off homer in the 18th inning of Game 4 of the 2005 NL Division Series against Houston, ending Atlanta's season.
"He was rushed to the big leagues," one major-league scout said. "He's got great makeup, but that kind of left him shell-shocked. A change of scenery will be good for him."
Two industry sources speculated Saturday that if the A's land Devine, they will look to move closer Huston Street. General manager Billy Beane has made no secret that he's rebuilding the team, "full bore."
Beane was not available for comment Saturday. He and his wife, Tara, welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, Jan. 4.
