OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have agreed to one-year contracts with outfielders Josh Willingham and Conor Jackson, starting pitcher Dallas Braden and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to avoid salary arbitration.
Oakland also finalized an $8.1 million, two-year deal Tuesday with reliever Grant Balfour. The sides agreed to terms Friday pending a physical.
Willingham receives $6 million for the 2011 season, Kouzmanoff $4.75 million and Braden $3.35 million.
The A’s acquired Willingham in a trade last month with Washington that sent a pair of prospects to the Nationals. He is expected to start in one of the corner outfield spots. Braden, an 11-game winner in 2010, became a national name after pitching a perfect game May 9 against Tampa Bay.
Reliever Craig Breslow is Oakland’s lone remaining arbitration-eligible player yet to agree on a contract after right-hander Brad Ziegler received a $1.25 million, one-year deal Saturday.
