OAKLAND -- In what sources suggest is a precursor to the trade of Mark Kotsay to the Braves that's making the rumor-mill rounds, the A's on Friday signed former Oakland farmhand Emil Brown to a one-year contract for the 2008 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
MLB.com on Friday got confirmation from multiple sources that the A's and Braves are close to finalizing a deal that would send Kotsay, 32, and cash to Atlanta for at least one high- to mid-level prospect, but the most connected such source said the deal "absolutely" wouldn't be closed before Monday.
Late Friday, the A's signed Brown, who was selected by Oakland in the sixth round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft and spent the past three seasons in Kansas City. In 2007, he batted .257 with six home runs and a team-high 62 RBIs in 113 games. According to A's assistant general manager David Forst, Brown's .317 average against left-handed pitching and defensive versatility were part of the free agent's appeal.
Brown, a right-handed hitter, made 66 starts last season in left field, 17 in right and seven as Kansas City's designated hitter. He's also made 78 Major League appearances in center field.
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A's add outfielder Emil Brown
A's add outfielder Emil Brown
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