The A’s have inked right-handed starter Esteban Loaiza to a three year, $21 million deal.

Loaiza, who will be 34 on opening day, was 12-10 (3.77 ERA, 173 K’s, 55 BB’s) for the Washington Nationals last season.

I’m no Nick Denton, but I count 7 bona fide starters on the A’s roster for ’06, and only one of them — Barry Zito — is entering his walk year.

Supposedly, the Cubs have signed free agent John Mabry to a one year deal. No financial details are available, nor has anyone explained how Mabry was able to find work so easily .