MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports that Oakland offered arbitration to its one ranked free agent, pitcher Justin Duchscherer. The right-hander is a Type B free agent, so with the offer, Oakland will earn a sandwich pick in next year's draft if Duchscherer declines arbitration and signs with another team.
As Urban notes, Duchscherer is highly likely to decline the Athletics' offer and instead sign a short-term, incentive-laden contract to prove that he is both physically and mentally recovered after missing the 2009 season with clinical depression and a variety of injuries.
