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The Oakland Athletics exercised their $4.5 million option on Grant Balfour and declined Stephen Drew's $10 million mutal option, according to their official Twitter account.
#Athletics exercise option on Grant Balfour for 2013; decline option on Stephen Drew.
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) October 29, 2012
Balfour racked up 24 saves and ranked fifth in the American League with 75 appearances. The 34-year-old posted a 2.53 ERA and struck out 72 batters in 74 2/3 innings. Since blooming with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, Balfour's has been among baseball's better relievers, making his option a no-brainer for Oakland.
Drew, who was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 20, hit .250/.326/.382 in 39 games with the A's. Oakland traded away Cliff Pennington earlier this month, acquiring outfielder Chris Young but creating a need for middle infield help. Drew played in 79 games in 2012 and 86 the year before, missing time due to a fractured ankle.
The crew at Athletic's Nation concluded that "Surely, this could indicate the A's are in the midst of a multi-year deal with Drew to bring him back to Oakland."