The A’s have signed 31-year old righty reliever/starter Jason Jennings to a minor league deal. Jennings pitched in 44 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last season and he was 2-4 with 1 save, a 4.13 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Jennings has now pitched in 225 games (180 starts) in his major league career and he is 62-74 with 1 save, a 4.95 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Jennings will likely try to make the A’s as a long reliever this spring.

The A’s have signed 36-year old righty starter/reliever Brett Tomko to a minor league deal. Tomko pitched in 21 games (6 starts) with the A’s and Yankees last season and he was 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Tomko has now pitched in 389 games (266 starts) in his major league career and he is 100-102 with 2 saves, a 4.65 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Tomko will likely battle for the #5 spot in the starting rotation this spring if he is healthy.

It was a mild surprise to see the A’s bring back 31-year old lefty swinging Jack Cust again to DH in 2010. Cust played in 149 games for the A’s last season and he was 123 for 513 (.240 avg, .773 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 25 homers and 70 RBIs. In his three years with the A’s, Cust has averaged 75.3 runs scored, 28.0 homers, 76.3 RBIs, 103 walks and 182 whiffs. Cust is a streak hitter who has a lot of power when he’s going good but he also has long stretches when he looks hopeless at the dish. Jake Fox could also get some ABs at DH this season for the A’s.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DH IN 2010: C

The A’s have restocked at 3B for the 2010 season. 28-year old righty swinging Kevin Kouzmanoff has been brought in to start in 2010. He played in 141 games for the Padres last season and he was 135 for 529 (.255 avg, .722 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 18 homers and 88 RBIs. Look for Kouzmanoff’s power numbers to improve with him not playing 81 games at Petco park in 2010. Kouzmanoff only made 3 errors in 139 games at 3B while showing poor range. At least Kouzmanoff doesn’t screw up when he gets to the ball.

32-year old lefty swinging Eric Chavez is trying to hold on for the A’s. He only played in 8 games for the A’s last season and he was 3 for 30 (.100 avg, .262 OPS) with 1 RBI. It’s sad to see Chavez’ career winding down like this as he used to be one of the best 3B in all of baseball not that long ago. Chavez didn’t make any errors in 8 games at 3B with the A’s last season while showing average range.

26-year old righty swinging Adam Rosales is going to compete with Chavez for a roster spot this spring. Rosales played in 87 games for the Reds last season and he was 49 for 230 (.213 avg, .620 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers and 19 RBIs. He also played in 30 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 38 for 109 (.349 avg, 1.004 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 5 homers, 20 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Rosales made 7 errors in 57 games at 3B for the Reds last season while showing slightly below average range.

27-year old righty swinging Jake Fox will likely play more at 1B in 2010 but he also can play at the hot corner. Fox played in 27 games at 3B for the Cubs last season and he made 2 errors there while showing awful range.

29-year old lefty swinging Dallas McPherson is also in camp on a minor league deal. He did not play last season. McPherson played in 127 games in AAA-ball in 2008 and he was 123 for 448 (.275 avg, .998 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 42 homers, 98 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He will likely start the season in AAA but he could get a call from the A’s at some point in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: B

25-year old switch hitting Cliff Pennington will be the starting shortstop for the A’s in 2010. Pennington played in 60 games for the A’s last season and he was 58 for 208 (.279 avg, .760 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 4 homers, 21 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The A’s are hoping that Pennington is another version of Mark Ellis with more speed. Pennington made 8 errors in 60 games at SS last season for the A’s while showing good range.

32-year old lefty swinging Eric Chavez and 26-year old righty swinging Adam Rosales will compete this spring for the right to backup Pennington at SS in 2010. Chavez didn’t play any shortstop last season for the A’s but they are confident that he can handle the job if healthy. Rosales played in 6 games for the Reds at SS last season without making an error and showing average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2010: C-