Offseason Update: Davis Trade, Iwakuma Talks, Beltre, Berkman, Encarnacion

Here’s a brief update regarding all the action in the A’s front office as of recent.

First, a few acquisitions.

The A’s traded the speedy Rajai Davis to Toronto in exchange for two right-handed minor league relievers, Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar.

Also getting picked up from Toronto via the waiver wire was 3B Edwin Encarnacion. Plenty of uncertainty now surrounds the 2011 A’s 3B position, as the Encarnacion addition has a lot of people wondering what the A’s plan on doing with either Encarnacion and/or Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Adding to the uncertainty of the 3B position is the deal the A’s reportedly offered to 3B Adrian Beltre, worth $64 million over 5 years. While Scott Boras alleged his client should be getting $90 million over that same period of time, it’s without a doubt an uncharacteristically substantial offer on behalf of the A’s.

The A’s also recently broke off negotiations with Japanese hurler Hisashi Iwakuma, for whom the A’s bid an estimated $16 million posting fee. The reason for the cease in talks between both parties was apparently because the proposed figures were too far apart. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Iwakuma was seeking a contract similar to that of Giants’ lefty Barry Zito; a 7 year deal worth $126 million.

The A’s are also showing strong interest in Lance Berkman, who recently claimed the A’s have been the most aggressive team he’s spoken with so far. Berkman also admitted he’d prefer to not be primarily used as a DH, something that may detract from the interest the A’s have in him, with Daric Barton having a stronghold at 1^st base.