ITEM:<br>A's assistant GM David Forst said Wednesday that
Grant Balfour, <b>Fautino De Los Santos</b> and Joey Devine will compete for
the team's opening at closer.<div class="report">
</div>
<div class="impact">
Oakland traded closer Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox
on Wednesday evening as part of a five-player swap. Balfour seems the
likeliest candidate to win the job out of spring training given his age
and potential value as a mid-season trade chip,<b> but De Los Santos is a
young arm worth monitoring. The 25-year-old may be worth a flier in
drafts next spring.<br><br></b>WINNER: Eagle-eyed Rips picked up Santos with $5 FAAB move last season, aware of his blistering fastball and stunning mound poise. Expect this modest investment to return huge dividends in 2012 as Balfour no match for this young stud.<br>
<br>LOSER: Berliners. Winick forced to find another team to mock today. <br></div>