A's building strong bullpen to back rotation

(01-18) 21:12 PST --

Oakland's already fine bullpen is getting ever more accomplished, with the signing Tuesday of Australian right-hander Grant Balfour and today's expected addition of left-hander Brian Fuentes.

Balfour, who agreed to an $8.1 million two-year deal with a team option, said that Oakland's current team reminds him of the 2008 Tampa Bay team that went to the World Series, because of its great young pitching, its speed and its strong defense.

"We've got a good shot at winning it," said Balfour, who is also celebrating the fact that less than a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, his father, David, is cancer-free.

Along with announcing Balfour's deal, the A's busy day also included agreements with four arbitration-eligible players, including new outfielder Josh Willingham, who will earn $6 million in 2011. Willingham told The Chronicle if the A's would like to discuss a long-term deal, "absolutely, I would do that." According to one source, such talks could begin this spring.

Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff ($4.75 million), left-hander Dallas Braden ($3.35 million) and outfielder Conor Jackson ($4.2 million) also signed, leaving Craig Breslow as the A's only unsigned arbitration-eligible player. Breslow filed for $1.55 million, and the A's countered with a $1.15 million offer.

The 35-year-old Fuentes, a four-time All-Star, was close to finalizing a deal Sunday, pending a physical that could be today, sources told The Chronicle.

The projected payroll, with Fuentes getting about $5 million a year according to a team source, is about $69 million.

Breslow will be one of essentially four set-up men for A's closer Andrew Bailey, along with Balfour, Fuentes and Michael Wuertz, with Brad Ziegler in middle relief.

"There's going to be a closer pitching in every inning," right-hander Joey Devine said of the way the relief roles set up.

"I told Trevor Cahill and Dallas Braden that it's five-and-dive for them from now on," Bailey joked of how little work the starters might need.

The candidates for the final spot in the bullpen: Devine, coming off Tommy John surgery; lefty Jerry Blevins, coming off hip surgery; and Rich Harden or Josh Outman, depending on the fifth-starter decision. There is little doubt, barring injuries or a trade, that a quality reliever or two will be left off the Opening Day roster.

General manager Billy Beane said that the A's had some financial flexibility, so when the opportunity came along to add some good arms to the bullpen, they took it, even though it's already an area of strength.

Asked about the possibility of trading some extra relievers, Beane said. "I can say that was not necessarily our purpose in doing it. If that did happen, it would come later, down the line. If there was something that could improve another position, we could address a deal at that time."

Devine and Bailey are both expecting to be ready for spring training. Devine describes himself as 100 percent and said he is in the midst of his regular throwing program. He's working with Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann, who came up with Devine in Atlanta. "I'm in really good hands," Devine said. "He's helping with my mechanics, my arm slot."

Bailey, who had a minor elbow cleanup in September, is throwing at a distance of 105 feet and needs to get to 120 feet before beginning to throw off the mound, which he expects to do Feb. 1 in Arizona. He said he will be right with the rest of the pack, throwing bullpen sessions when camp opens.

Further behind is utility infielder Adam Rosales, who had surgery to put two screws in the navicular bone in his right foot on Dec. 8. Rosales said he will be on crutches for another month and he believes he will not be 100 percent cleared to play until March 15 at the earliest.

To make room for Balfour on the 40-man roster, right-hander Clayton Mortensen, acquired in the Matt Holliday deal with St. Louis, was designated for assignment. Pitcher Philip Humber, designated last week, was claimed by the White Sox.

E-mail Susan Slusser at sslusser@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle