According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Athleticshave signed former top prospect Dallas McPherson to a minor league contractwith an invite to spring training.
McPherson, 29, failed to make the Marlins out of spring training last season, then underwent back surgery in July after signing a minor league contract with the Giants. McPherson was once a highly-touted prospect in the Angels’ organization, but he hasn’t done much on the major league level, batting just .245/.298/.458 with 18 home runs and 45 RBI in parts of four seasons while striking out 34 percent of the time.
Regardless, McPherson has walked into a pretty good situation in Oakland. He is expected to compete for a starting job in 2010, as Adam Kennedy and Bobby Crosby are free agents and prospect Brett Wallace, who was acquired from St. Louis in the Matt Holliday trade, might not be ready for the jump to the majors.
In other Athletics’ news, general manager Billy Beanewas recently interviewed by John Sickels of Minor League Ball. Beane would like top prospect Chris Carter to find a fit in the outfield while he hopes Wallace can improve his defense at third base in anticipation of a promotion to the major leagues. Finally, Beane has some high praise for Grant Desme, who won the MVP of the Arizona Fall League, batting .315/.413/.667 with 11 home runs, 27 RBI and 30 runs scored in 27 games. Though his strikeout rate is a concern, Beane likens him to Jayson Werth of the Phillies.