Oakland A's, Bartolo Colon Negotiating; Other Oakland Notes

The Oakland A's have entered negotiations with Bartolo Colon, according to Buster Olney via twitter. This follows this morning's rumor from Jayson Stark that the Diamondbacks were taking a look at Colon.

• Twitter / @Buster_ESPN - "Oakland Athletics are in negotiations with Bartolo Colon."
• Arizona Diamondbacks Interested In Bartolo Colon - MLB Daily Dish
  After missing all of 2010, Colon posted a 4.00 ERA across 164 innings of work (26 starts) last season with 7.4 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. The rejuvenated veteran saw his fastball speed increase a couple of ticks and get quite a bit of movement. It might be risky counting on Colon after last season, however.

We also have an A's update that includes speculation on how many wins the club will earn in 2012, and a plea from Jeff Passan and assurances from Bud Selig regarding the move to San Jose after the jump.

• How Many Wins Will the A's Get in 2012? - Jane Lee | mlb.com
  I'm hesitant to pencil them in for 65 wins -- they won 74 with the now departed Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham last year -- but at the same time believe manager Bob Melvin wouldn't allow for a 100-loss season, so perhaps it's best to settle somewhere in the middle and project about 63 victories for the green and gold.
• A look at scenarios for the 2012 season - Athletics Nation
  "It seems as if [Athletics Nation Fans] are split when they think about the 2012 season. Some want the Athletics to completely, 100 percent stink and go for that No. 1 draft pick. Some still want the A's to remain competitive, maybe making a reach toward .500."
• Selig: A's bid to pursue ballpark in San Jose is `on the front burner' for MLB - San Jose Mercury News
  "Selig confirmed that the special committee he appointed to examine the A's ballpark dilemma had presented a report to the MLB executive committee and that the report was "comprehensive." But the matter never made it to the agenda of the larger meeting where all 30 owners participate. A resolution could be brought to the ownership groups, soon, however."
• It's past time for league to let A's move to San Jose - Jeff Passan | Yahoo! Sports
  "The A’s might as well be the Ifs. Because as long as owner Lew Wolff and GM Billy Beane run their team with an indignant streak – trying ever so subtly to force MLB to figure out their situation – the perpetual limbo of the franchise will render it irrelevant. No team, not even the best-managed ones, can win with constant change. And that’s what the A’s are right now: a group of mercenaries who understand they’re not long for a green-and-yellow uniform."
• 5 Bold Predicitions: AL West - MLB Daily Dish
  "The Oakland Athletics will get even cheaper: Their payroll is going to be in the $30 million range when the season starts...and it could be cheaper. Not really sure why they re-signed Coco Crisp, but they have some OF's that could make their way to the majors soon. Brian Fuentes could always be a piece come the deadline."