Bob Melvin spoke extensively about De Los Santos this morning, noting he’d like to see a bit more consistency from his breaking ball.

“That’s something he’s working on,” Melvin said. “He’s a guy for us now, so this is a big year for him. He goes from a guy that was kind of a surprise last year and worked his way up really without the spotlight on him … and now there’s a little bit more of a target on him and we expect big things out of him.”

As for his fastball, Melvin acknowledged how it will likely dictate his career:

“Typically closers have one special pitch. Rivera has the cutter, Hoffman had the changeup, and for him it’s the exploding fastball. For him to get better, he’s got to work on the other things — quicker to the plate, bring the walks down some, concentrate on getting ahead of hitters, making sure two of the first three pitches are strikes. Where that 1-1 count goes … it’s something we’re going to stress once we lead into games.”

Other notes from Melvin’s early session with reporters:

• Lefty Jordan Norberto is penciled in as a relief option, but Melvin said he could very well work as a starter should he not make the team out of camp. That role may be better suited for Norberto, “so he’s able to ease into some things, because he’s a jumpy, high-strung kid,” Melvin said. Norberto was a starter for the first three years of his Minor League career, before making the transition to a relief role in 2009. Said Melvin: “The trick for him coming out of the bullpen is going to be throwing the ball over the plate early. If you’re coming in and facing one left-handed hitter in a specialist role, you have no room to settle in. I think the fact he has started now, maybe lends itself to him maybe being a long guy for us too, not just a short guy.”

• Melvin said he really has no preference when considering how many right-handers and left-handers to carry in his rotation. The decision, he said, always comes down to performance, meaning he’ll go with five right-handers if those are the best five guys out of camp. That scenario could very well happen, at least at the start of the season before southpaw Dallas Braden returns. With Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon slated for the No. 1 and 2 spots, all the candidates that follow them are also right-handed — except Tommy Milone. But should he not make the cut, the A’s will be deciding from a handful of righties: Graham Godfrey, Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock and Tyson Ross.

Be sure to check the newsstands Friday for ESPN the Magazine. McCarthy and his wife, Amanda, are gracing this week’s cover, as seen below.

A few tidbits from the day:

-Bob Melvin said it’s a “definite possibility” the club adds to its roster before full camp opens next Saturday. You can presumably count Yoenis Cespedes in that mix, once he acquires a worker’s visa. And Manny Ramirez is still very much an option, as are relievers Koji Uehara and Mike Gonzalez.

-Lefty Dallas Braden is slated to throw his fifth bullpen on Monday and is still eying a mid-April return to the rotation. Melvin, though, believes the beginning of May is potentially a more realistic option.

-Brett Anderson, down to 225 pounds, is set to throw off the mound for the first time Monday. Like Braden, he’s ahead of schedule and is looking to rejoin the mix in August.

-I caught up with Joey Devine for a few minutes, and he’s entering camp completely healthy. He’ll be part of the competition for the closer’s job, which Melvin says “won’t be ironed out for awhile.” Brian Fuentes, Grant Balfour and Fautino De Los Santos are also candidates.

And a note for all Spring Training visitors: The A’s will be holding all of their workouts (before games begin) at Papago Park Sports Complex rather than Phoenix Muni. The two sites are just five minutes from each other.

PITCHERS

LH Fabio Castro

RH Edgar Gonzalez

RH Sonny Gray

RH Jim Miller

RH Travis Schlichting

RH Evan Scribner

LH Erick Threets

RH Merkin Valdez

CATCHERS

Ryan Ortiz

Landon Powell

Max Stassi

INFIELDERS

Wes Timmons

OUTFIELDERS

Michael Choice

Jeff Fiorentino

Grant Green

Cedric Hunter

Brandon Moss

Jason Pridie

Daric Barton ($1.1 million base salary) gets $50,000 for 350 plate appearances, 400 plate appearances and 450 plate appearances, and $100,000 for 500 plate appearances. He would get $100,000 for a Sliver Slugger; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $50,000 for an All-Star nod; and $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third). Plus, he would get $50,000 for being named LCS MVP and $100,000 for WS MVP.

Dallas Braden is set to make $3.35 million and can earn another $75,000 for 15 games started, 20 games started, 25 games started and 30 games started, and $100,000 for 32 games started.

He can earn $100,000 for winning Comeback Player of the Year, plus $100,000 for the Cy Young ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $50,000 for an All-Star nod; and $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third). And, if the A’s make the playoffs, he could earn $50,000 for being named League Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series MVP

Bartolo Colon has a $2 million base salary and can earn up to an additional $1 million for 25 games started ($150,000 for 10, 15, 17 and 20 starts, plus $250,000 for 25 starts). In addition, he’ll receive $150,000 for pitching 150 innings, plus the same amount for 170, 180 and 190 IP; and $250,000 for 200 IP.

Colon can also earn $100,000 for winning the Cy Young ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third) and equal cash for taking home the MVP. Other potential award earnings include: $100,000 for World Series MVP; $50,000 for LCS MVP; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; and $50,000 for an All-Star nod

Coco Crisp’s two-year deal with a club option for 2014 includes $100,000 for WS MVP; $50,000 for LCS MVP; $100,000 for winning a Silver Slugger; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $50,000 for an All-Star nod; $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); and $250,000 if he gets traded. In addition, Crisp’s contract includes use of a suite at the Coliseum six games per year.

Joey Devine enters the year with a base salary of $737,500 but can earn an additional $12,500 for making 27 appearances and 30 appearances; $27,500 for 35 and 40; $32,500 for 45; and $35,000 for 50 and 55 games. He can also earn up to $170,000 for 45 games finished.

Award incentives in Devine’s contract include: $50,000 for Comeback Player of the Year; $100,000 for Rolaids Relief Award ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $50,000 for an All-Star nod; $100,000 for the Cy Young ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); and $100,000 for WS MVP and $50,000 for LCS MVP.

Johnny Gomes’ one-year, $1 million deal includes $200,000 in incentives ($100,000 for 300 plate appearances and another $100,000 for 350 plate appearances). He can also earn $100,000 for a Silver Slugger; $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); $50,000 for making the All-Star team; and $100,000 for WS MVP and $50,000 for LCS MVP.

Brandon McCarthy is set to bring in $4,275,000 as a base salary. The righty can earn $100,000 for the Cy Young; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $50,000 for an All-Star nod; $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); $100,000 for the Rolaids Award ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third); and $100,000 for WS MVP and $50,000 for LCS MVP.

Adam Rosales, earning $600,000 this year, can reel in an additional $25,000 for 200 plate appearances and 300 plate appearances. An All-Star nod gives him another $50,000, and he can earn $100,000 as a Silver Slugger, $50,000 as a Gold Glove winner and $100,000 as the league’s MVP ($75,000 for finishing second, $50,000 for third). Plus, he would get $50,000 for being named LCS MVP and $100,000 for WS MVP.

Coco Crisp, Dallas Braden, Jemile Weeks, Kurt Suzuki, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, Brandon Allen, Daric Barton, Jerry Blevins, Adrian Cardenas, Chris Carter, Joey Devine, Tommy Milone, Jermaine Mitchell, Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock, Cliff Pennington, Anthony Recker, Josh Reddick, Adam Rosales, Tyson Ross, Scott Sizemore, Seth Smith, Eric Sogard, Michael Taylor, Neil Wagner, and manager Bob Melvin and his coaching staff.

And if you’re still in “Moneyball” mode, keep your eyes open for Scott Hatteberg and David Justice, who are also slated to make an appearance. FanFest will also host A’s legends Gene Tenace, Vida Blue and Joe Rudi.

In addition, a limited number of fans will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with A’s owner Lew Wolff to discuss a variety of topics in an intimate setting. Fans are invited to sign up for this exclusive meeting at the Information Booth on the Plaza located between the Coliseum and the Arena from 9-10:30 a.m.

Geaney, just 26, previously served as a coordinator in the scouting department and, before that, as a scouting assistant and video coordinator.

In an email on Wednesday, A’s assistant general manager David Forst said, “I have no doubt he will pick up right where Dan left off.”

Kantrovitz played a significant role when it came to acquiring international players, and the A’s are expected to continue their efforts in that area, especially in the midst of a rebuild.

“I love the Bay Area, but if you’re going to get traded, I can’t think of a better situation for myself and my family to be in. It’s a big market, big team, and I’m excited about the opportunity to win over there, especially knowing Bobby V.”

On his chat with Red Sox GM Ben Cherington:

“He wanted to just welcome me to the team. They said I’ve been of interest to them for most of the offseason and they were close a number of times and they couldn’t think of a better time to get a deal done. He said they’re looking forward to having me in Boston, and I’m looking forward to getting started in Spring Training.”

On his time in Oakland:

“I had a good conversation with Billy. I understand. They’re moving in a different direction and want to get younger and are hopefully looking forward to a new stadium in San Jose. I can’t say enough about the A’s organization because, looking back, not many guys would be given the opportunity I was given back in 2009, coming off a terrible, terrible year in Double-A to making the big league team and, a couple months later, being closer. So hats off to them and the opportunity they gave to me. I’m just glad I was able to help them get better for the future.”

On why he pulled the trigger on the Nationals’ offer:

“We were pretty clear from the start that we were going to leverage one team against the other. We were transparent about that. First of all, I think the caliber of the prospects, they’re guys we think very, very highly of, and in a couple of cases guys we think are very, very close. Milone and Peacock were in the big leagues at the end of the year and showed themselves pretty well. The other thing, we’re giving up a pitcher, and the ability to acquire three — what we think are three very good Major League prospects was what won it for us. There were a couple of teams involved, and it was a very difficult decision because there was another club that put together a deal that was different in terms of prospects, but we just slightly leaned this way.”

On not taking a more offensive-conscious approach when assessing return packages:

“I think we focused on getting the best players we could get, whether they be pitchers or position players. I think we’ve got a long way to go and we just wanted to basically take the best deals and not be overly specific with it. We thought that was the best long-term approach.”

On the effect the Angels and Rangers have had on his planning:

“I think we’ve been pretty public about the position we’re in, the expectation that we need a new venue to compete and that we expect that decision pretty soon. So this would have been the same approach we would have taken two months ago, but as it applies to their moves, it would be disingenuous to say, particularly in Anaheim’s case, that it certainly was a little bit of a nudge in this direction, that’s for sure.”

On his response to fans who are saying goodbye to some of the team’s best playerss:

“We’ve been through this cycle numerous times, and it gets shorter and shorter because the gap between us and everybody else grows. Ultimately, the fact of the matter is, and we’ve been a little more vocal about it lately, for us to compete we’re going to have to have a new stadium, and I don’t think there was a move we could have made that would put is in a posiition to compete with a club like the Angels or Texas given what they have and where they’re headed and some of those signings. You’re talking about two clubs in the division that are probably in the $150-$170 million range, and we’re not a business that can put that payroll on the field. Just for us to catch up to Seattle, we’d have to spend an extra $40 or $50 million to catch the person above us. From our standpoint, I don’t know there’s a move out there that could have put us in a position to compete with them next year.

“I’d rather run a club that has a plan, a three- or four-year plan, and see that plan implemented, and see the team get better over time, as opposed to putting together a patchwork on a year-to-year basis which has a very limited future. Whenever we’ve been successful is when we’ve had a plan and stuck to it, and when we haven’t been successful is when we try to act on a year-by-year basis.”

On teams’ remaining interest in his other players:

“Yes, as we expected. We’re still going to be very open-minded. Whether it happens or not, we’re putting together a team with the idea that we’re going to have a new stadium because I don’t think we have any other choice, to be honest.”

On the stadium decision:

“We’ve just been hearing soon. Any other information, I would probably keep to myself. We have no choice but to operate this way. The fact of the matter is, if you have a new stadium, there’s been one model, and it’s what the Cleveland Indians did. They did it first, and they did it best. Nobody’s done it the same way since. We’re going to take the same approach, and if there’s a little bit of pain inbetween, so be it. If we get the opportunity to open a new stadium, we’re going to take advantage of it. it may sound a bit Pollyanish, but I don’t think we have too many other options.

“The plan I’d like to have is like Cleveland, where the core of your team enters a stadium and they’re already productive Major League players, based on giving them the opportunity before you go in there, and that one sustains itself for a long, long time. The Indians were arguably one of the most dominant teams of the 90’s, and to me that’s the blueprint and the template of the way to do it. They went through some pain over there, but they had the guts to do it right, and they did it best.”

On potential outfield additions:

“There are certainly a couple we’re speaking to now. And we’ve had trade conversations that would involve that position, too.”