That’s not to say anyone should get their hopes up about him. But I think the A’s will easily get their money’s worth, and then some. And he might even put up a similar ERA to last year’s, considering he’s moving from a hitter’s park to a pitcher’s park, and looks like he’ll have a good defense behind him — particularly up the middle.

I’d also be surprised if the A’s didn’t add another veteran starter before spring training. Maybe even two more. I can easily see them signing someone like Brad Penny, or especially Rich Harden. And I can also see them offering a minor league deal to a pitcher like Justin Duchscherer, Brandon Webb or Chris Young.