The Oakland Athletics have signed veteran first basemen / designated hitter Mike Sweeney to a minor league contract.  Sweeney will also be invited to spring training, where he will work at getting a spot on the major league roster.  Sweeney will be taking a huge pay decrease after earning $11 million dollars each of the last 5 seasons in Kansas City. 

Sweeney will be battling for at bats against Dan Johnson, Jack Cust, and Daric Barton.  Sweeney should be able to get some at bats against left handed pitchers atleast.