If I know Billy Beane, he’s going to be looking for bargains in free agency. The A’s have to replace their whole starting outfield and the DH spot before next season starts. Now they could go young, but that isn’t the way the A’s always operate….especially if some bargains present themselves and I think they will. Here are three guys I could easily see winding up with the A’s in 2012:

1. Vladimir Guerrero - The A’s just didn’t hit well for average last year. Guerrero has lost some of his power but he can still flat out hit as a DH.

2. Raul Ibanez - Lefty swinging LF Raul Ibanez can still hit for power and that is something the A’s really need. I think he would be a perfect fit for them.

3. Magglio Ordonez - RF is wide open for the A’s and Billy Beane won’t be able to resist signing Ordonez if he comes at the right price.

The A’s have signed 29-year old righty reliever Jim Miller to a minor league deal. Miller pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He has now pitched in 14 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-1 with 1 save, a 1.84 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Miller will get a shot to make the A’s solid bullpen next spring.

The A’s have signed 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jeff Fiorentino to a minor league deal. He played last season in Japan. Fiorentino last played in the majors back in 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles. He has played in 58 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 40 for 148 (.270 avg, .666 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 1 homer, 21 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Fiorentino will get a shot to win a spot on the A’s bench next spring.

The A’s have signed 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jason Pridie. Pridie played in 101 games for the Mets last year and he was 48 for 208 (.231 avg, .679 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 4 homers, 20 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has now played in 112 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 48 for 212 (.226 avg, .670 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 4 homers, 20 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The A’s don’t have much in the outfield right now, so maybe Pridie can earn some real playing time with a strong spring.

UPDATE: (3/11/2012) - Jason Pridie has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse.

The A’s have signed 28-year old righty reliever/starter Edgar Gonzalez. Gonzalez pitched in 1 game out of the bullpen for the Rockies last year and he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. He also pitched in 26 games (25 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 8-6 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Gonzalez has now pitched in 107 games (41 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 14-25 with a 5.90 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.

UPDATE: (4/3/2012) - The A’s have released Edgar Gonzalez.

The Oakland Athletics have designated 26-year old righty reliever Trystan Magnuson for assignment. Magnuson pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the A’s last year and he was 0-0 with a 6.14 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He also pitched in 30 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-2 with 5 saves, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. GM Billy Beane is trying to sneak Magnuson through waivers so that he can keep him. It will be interesting to see if a team claims him off waivers.

UPDATE: (11/4/2011) - The A’s have dealt Trystan Magnuson back to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. Magnuson was part of the return the A’s got last year for outfielder Rajai Davis.