Balfour to compete for closer's role: The A's shipped closer Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox on Wednesday, leaving an opening for their ninth-inning role. Assistant GM David Forst said Grant Balfour, Fautino De Los Santos and Joey Devine will compete for the team's opening at closer. Balfour posted a 2.47 ERA in 62 appearances last season, including going 2 for 7 in save chances. (Updated 12/29/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Balfour has just 10 saves in his career but his 2.38 ERA over the last two seasons shows that he has what it takes to pitch late in games. Owners should keep an eye on the battle during the spring to see who ends up winning out. Balfour would have value in most mixed leagues as a closer but would remain more of an AL-only option if he remains in the setup role. (Updated 12/29/2011).
09/24/2011 01:21 Gonzalez powers Athletics past Weaver, Angels
Gio Gonzalez outdueled Jered Weaver and the Oakland Athletics scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error, beating the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 Friday night and eliminating them from the AL West race.
09/22/2011 01:31 Rangers edge Oakland, magic number down to three
Ian Kinsler hit a tying home run leading off the eighth and Josh Hamilton followed with another homer two batters later, lifting Texas to a 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night and reducing the Rangers magic number to clinch the AL West to three.
09/17/2011 19:07 Athletics 5, Tigers 3
Gio Gonzalez pitched seven innings for his 14th win and Oakland turned three double plays in the first five innings and the Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on Saturday.
09/13/2011 01:21 Athletics 6, Angels 3
Josh Willingham hit his 25th home run and drove in four runs to help the Oakland Athletics chase starter Joel Pineiro early again in a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.
Grant Balfour posted an ERA under 3.00 for the third time in the last four seasons in 2011 and could have a larger role out of the bullpen heading into 2012. With Andrew Bailey leaving Oakland via trade, the right-hander will compete with Fautino De Los Santos and Joey Devine for the closer's role, and should have an upper hand in the race. While he went just 2 for 7 in save chances a year ago, he has struck out 370 batters in 335 2/3 innings in his career in the majors and does not walk many. If the 34-year-old can win the job during spring, it will go a long way for his Fantasy value so keep an eye on the situation going forward. As the closer for the A's, Balfour would hold value in mixed leagues. But as a setup man, he would be best left for AL-only formats. (Updated 2/1/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start