Boston Red Sox vs Oakland Athletics Tickets at Fenway Park

The Athletics had a productive day at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday, which Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park coincided with the arrival of general manager Billy Beane. He flew in from New York, finalized a deal with free-agent left-hander Alan Embree and moved within a passed physical of securing Mike Piazza for the 2008 season. Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park 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 Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park agreed to a one-year deal for a reported $8 million to $9 million.

When he met with 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 left little doubt that Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park one of the most productive offensive catchers in Major League Baseball history would be calling Oakland home next season. "Hopefully, we can have it done Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park by the end of the week," Beane said. "We're optimistic."

The addition 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 Athletics win the Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park American League West title and advance to the AL Championship Series. But the numbers Piazza compiled while playing catcher for the Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park San Diego Padres last season at age 37 -- 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 Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park 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 runs, is pretty productive. Assuming he signs with us and gets 150 more at-bats, that Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park extrapolates a pretty good year." Piazza, a 12-time All-Star, has Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park 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 seeking his services -- including the division rival Texas Rangers -- Beane said it Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park could have a lot do with franchise history and potential for continued success.

"He sees that we have been a Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park competitive club and he knows a couple of guys on the team," Beane said. "Mark Kotsay played briefly with him in Florida, for a week or Oakland Athletis Red Sox Tickets Fenway Park something like that, and I think he sees a good match here. If we sign him, he has a good chance to win at this point of his career. "Both sides could see where it might work out."