A's to sign Duchscherer, eye Springer

The Oakland Athletics' efforts Saturday appear to have gone a long way toward shoring up their pitching staff.

Oakland and right-handed starter Justin Duchscherer, the club's last remaining roster player eligible for arbitration, avoided a salary arbitration hearing, reaching agreement on a one-year, guaranteed $3.9 million contract, according to his agent.

And the A's were in the process of hammering out a one-year deal with reliever Russ Springer, a union source told ESPN The Magazine senior baseball writer Buster Olney.

Springer's deal is said to be worth about $3 million and a physical examination is pending, the source said.

Duchscherer, 31, posted a 10-8 record with a 2.54 ERA in 22 starts last season. The two-time All-Star underwent minor hip surgery in September, but expects to be ready for spring training. He also had hip surgery in July 2007.

Springer, a 40-year-old right-hander, pitched in 70 games for the Cardinals last season, with a 2.32 ERA.

A 16-year veteran setup man, Springer is 35-41 in 664 career appearances with seven teams. He has a 4.55 career ERA in 797 2/3 innings.

Duchscherer's contract includes an additional $150,000 in incentive bonuses if he makes 32 starts, said agent Damon Lapa. The bonuses could increase the overall value of the deal to $4.05 million.

Duchscherer had been asking for $4.6 million in arbitration, while the Athletics had offered $3 million. The two sides settled for a figure $100,000 above the midpoint.

The A's agreed to a $2.8 million, one-year deal with designated hitter and outfielder Jack Cust on Jan. 14, leaving only Duchscherer's situation left to be settled.