OAKLAND, CALIF. (AP) - A person with knowledge of the deal says free agent slugger Hideki Matsui and the Oakland Athletics are working to finalize a contract.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Monday because there was no formal announcement.
Oakland has been looking for a new designated hitter to boost offense in the middle of the batting order.
The 36-year-old Matsui hit .274 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs last season with the Los Angeles Angels, the A’s AL West rival. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Yankees.
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AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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