Sheffield Deal Nearly Done

Soon after it’s official that one slugger has left the Oakland Athletics for the New York Yankees, another looks likely to join the A’s--after leaving the Dodgers.

Word emerged at about 1 a.m. here that Dodger General Manager Dan Evans and Oakland GM Billy Beane were moving quickly to finalize the blockbuster transaction that would send outfielder Gary Sheffield and pitchers Luke Prokopec and Mike Trombley from the Dodgers to Oakland for Gold Glove outfielder Jermaine Dye and closer Billy Koch, sources said. An announcement could made as soon as today.

Evans and Beane engaged in many lengthy negotiating sessions shortly before arriving in Boston and increased their efforts the previous two days in an attempt to complete the deal that has been on the table for weeks.

Their talks intensified after it had become clear earlier Wednesday that free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi was headed to the New York Yankees, opening a huge hole in the Athletics’ batting order. Sheffield has been Beane’s top choice from the outset to replace the production lost with Giambi.

Koch, who turns 27 on Friday, is the top player on the Dodgers’ off-season wish list. The right-hander was 2-5 with a 4.80 earned-run average in 2001, but had 36 saves in 69 appearances and at least 31 saves in each of his three seasons.

Acquiring a closer has topped Evans’ to-do list since he declined to exercise Jeff Shaw’s contract option.

Dye, 27, helped the Athletics earn the American League wild-card berth after being traded from Kansas City on July 25, batting .297 with 13 homers and 59 runs batted in during 61 games.