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Oakland Athletics News:

The Athletics had a productive day at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday, which coincided with the arrival of general manager Billy Beane. He flew in from New York, finalized a deal with free-agent left-hander Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets Alan Embree and moved within a passed physical of securing Mike Piazza for the 2007 season.

Embree is signed, sealed and delivered to the Athletics' already-strong bullpen, and by the end of the week, the gaping designated hitter hole created by the departure of Frank Thomas should be filled by Piazza. Embree signed a two-year contract and Piazza has agreed to a one-year Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets deal for a reported $8 million to $9 million.

When he met with Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets reporters Wednesday afternoon, Beane made sure he didn't say it was a done deal with Piazza, a future Hall of Famer. But the GM lef Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets t little doubt that one of the most productive offensive catchers in Major League Baseball history would be calling Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets Oakland home next season.

"Hopefully, we can have it done by the end of the week," Beane said. "We're optimistic."

The addition Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets of Piazza to the lineup might not completely make up for the 39 home runs and 114 runs Thomas drove in last season in helping the Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets Athletics win the American League West title and advance to the AL Championship Series. But the numbers Piazza compiled while playing catcher for the San Diego Padres last season at age 37 -- Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets 22 home runs and 68 RBIs -- definitely caught the A's attention.

"We need a right-handed bat and we need one in the middle of the order," Beane said. "A guy like Piazza fits that bill if we are able to bring it to conclusion. We are intrigued by what this guy can do if he just goes out and hits.

"For a guy his age to catch as much as he did, get 400 at-bats and hit 22 home Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets runs, is pretty productive. Assuming he signs with us and gets 150 more at-bats, that extrapolates a pretty good year."

Piazza, a 12-time All-Star, has a .309 career batting average with 419 home runs -- including an all-time best 396 as a catcher -- and 1,291 RBIs.

Asked why he thought Piazza decided to sign with the Athletics over other teams Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets seeking his services -- including the division rival Texas Rangers -- Beane said it could have a lot do with franchise history and potential for continued success.

"He sees that we have been a competitive club and he knows a couple of guys on the Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets team," Beane said. "Mark Kotsay played briefly with him in Florida, for a week or something like that, and I think he sees a good match here. If we sign him, he has a good chance to Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets win at this point of his career.

"Both sides could see where it might work out."

Boston Red Sox News:

Considered one of the most Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets thoughtful and thought-provoking Red Sox players Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets in recent memory, Gabe Kapler wasn't about to enter the next phase of his life on a whim.

So, on Tuesday evening, when Kapler announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 31 to begin a managerial career with Boston's Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets Class A Greenville club in South Carolina, there was little doubt he was doing what he felt was right in his heart and mind.

"I have been thinking about this transition for many years, and believe this to be the right Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets time," Kapler said. "This will afford me the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of young men, not only to help them develop Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets as baseball players, but also -- more importantly -- as human beings.

"It's not about me, it's about the lives I have an opportunity to impact at this point. Essentially, it's going to school. You're going to learn how to manage. You're Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets going to learn when for the first time you're put in that situation with the game on the line, to make a decision. You're going to Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets learn the first time a guy ... does something stupid, how you are going to handle that situation."

Kapler replaces Luis Alicea, who left the South Atlantic League affiliate to join Terry Francona's staff as first base and infield coach.

"The Red Sox are very pleased Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets that Gabe Kapler has decided to stay in the organization as he begins his post-playing career," said Mike Hazen, Boston's director Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets of player development. "We feel that Gabe will be a big asset to the Red Sox as he works with some of the younger prospects in our system."

Kapler was signed by the Red Sox in 2003 as a backup outfielder and won a World Series ring with Boston a year later. He then left for an ill-fated two-month stint Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets with the Yomiuri Giants, hitting just .153 with three homers and six RBIs in 38 games in 2005. He returned to the Red Sox two months later before rupturing his left Achilles' tendon in September.

"In my gut, I didn't want finances to Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets play into it," said Kapler, who hit .254 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 72 games this season with Boston. "To me, that's the wrong reason to make a decision. I made that mistake once already when I went to Japan for financial reasons and blew it. I recall Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets I wouldn't do that again. I want to do something that will make me and my family happy, and helping other people and being apart of Boston Reds Sox vs. Oakland Athletics tickets other people's lives is much more rewarding than finances."