The A's are close to signing free agent right-hander Esteban Loiaza to
a three-year contract for slightly more than $21 million,
FOXSports.com has learned.

It is unclear whether the addition of Loiaza would affect Oakland's
decision on whether to trade left-hander Barry Zito. A's GM Billy
Beane has said he does not need to trade Zito for financial reasons,
but Beane generally listens to offers for all of his players.
After struggling during the second half of 2004 following a trade to
the Yankees, Loiaza bounced back in 2005 with the Washington
Nationals. Loiaza went 12-10 with a 3.77 ERA for the Nats, striking
out 173, while walking just 55.

If Loiaza can return to the form that saw him go 21-9 for the White
Sox in 2003 — and assuming the A's keep Zito — he would help give
Oakland a potentially effective 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.