Update 1/26 09:57am: According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the Oakland Athletics have signed Ben Sheets to a one-year contract for more than $8 million. He passed a physical today and the deal is expected to be announced shortly.

Update 1/26 09:48am: According to Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area, the Oakland Athletics have announced a press conference at 1pm today. Could it be the Ben Sheets signing announcement?

Update 1/26 09:37am: The Athletics will be deep in starting pitching if they sign Sheets. Prior to Sheets, their expected rotation is Justin Duchscherer, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson and Travor Cahill.  The fifth spot will between Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez. Many of these guys have Minor League options, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Beane makes a trade.

Update 1/26 09:19am: Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area says that the Oakland Athletics’ offer is well within the range of Sheets asking price of $8-9 million. According to Urban’s source, Oakland is “absolutely” in that range.

Oakland is optimistic in signing Sheets because Oakland is a pitcher friendly park that will allow Sheets to post good numbers that will allow him to be one of the top free-agent pitchers next winter. If the Athletics are not in playoff contention come July, Oakland’s GM Billy Beane could trade him for top young talent to a contending team.

Update 1/26 08:15am: Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area Tweets: Confirmed by ML source: #athletics have made “competitive” offer to Ben Sheets and hope to have answer today or Wednesday

Update 12:37pm: According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, he Tweets: #mets dont appear to be frontunner for sheets at moment. could come down to AL West battle: #a’s, #rangers, #m’s

Update 11:26am: According to ESPN Insider, the A’s have made an offer to pitcher Ben Sheets.

Update 10:21am: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated Tweets: #a’s, #rangers, #mets among teams trying for ben sheets, who wowed teams at showcase last week.

1/25 09:30am: Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area gave us a little hint last week that the A’s were going to do something good, and according to ESPNs Buster Olney, Urban was right. Olney reports today that the Oakland A’s are trying to trying to sign free agent pitcher Ben Sheets.

Olney Tweets: Heard this: Oakland is trying to sign Ben Sheets. If the Athletics are unable to do so, then they would turn to a veteran OFer as (cont.) a possible Plan B: Johnny Damon. Oakland has available cash, a need in the middle of its lineup. But Sheets bidding has to play out first.