Oakland general manager Billy Beane said after the team finished one game out of last place in 2007 that the club planned to increase its international scouting operations and increase its spending outside the United States, and the A's were active over the winter, signing numerous top prospects in Latin America, including outfielder Robin Rosario, who received a bonus of $350,000.

Inoa, however, is expected to shatter all non-Cuban amateur signings in Latin America, with the A's poised to give him more than $4 million. The previous high for a non-Cuban signing in Latin America was the $2.44 million the Yankees paid Wily Mo Pena in 1999.

Inoa would break the A's record for an amateur signing bonus. Left-hander Mark Mulder received $3.2 million in 1998.

While the A's are believed to have come to an agreement with Inoa, there is always a chance it could fall through. The Yankees reportedly believed they had a deal struck with Inoa's Dominican representatives before a United States-based agent took over the negotiations.

A'S 6, ANGELS 1: Rookie left-hander Greg Smith allowed only one man past first, on Mike Napoli's two-out solo homer in the fifth, and Smith threw 101 pitches in recording his first career complete game. In 13 of their past 16 outings, Oakland's starters have allowed no more than two runs, and they are 9-4 with a 2.73 ERA in that span. It was Smith's first-ever victory against an AL West team in six starts.