Ramirez close to signing with Oakland: reports

PHOENIX — Slugger Manny Ramirez is close to signing a contract with the Oakland Athletics that would be worth approximately $ 500,000, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Monday.

ESPN first reported earlier in the day that the sides had reached agreement, speaking directly to Ramirez. The person confirmed the sides were closing in on a contract, speaking on condition of anonymity because Ramirez still must take a physical and likely another drug test.

The A’s made public their interest in the 12- time All- Star, who is due to serve a 50- game suspension for his second positive drug test before he can play for Oakland.

Barring rainouts, his first game could be May 30 — on his 40th birthday.

He has been working out in Florida this winter, so he will now travel to Arizona to join his new team — probably in time for Oakland’s first fullsquad workout Saturday.

Ramirez was expected to sign a minor league deal, which would keep him off the 40- man roster.

Ramirez ranks 14th on the career list with 555 home runs. He went 1 for 17 (. 059) in five games last season for Tampa Bay, which had signed him to a one- year deal worth $ 2.02 million.

This would be the 20th major league season for Ramirez, a career .312 hitter with 1,831 RBIS.