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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Matt Joyce hopes to play more regularly again in his new role with the Oakland Athletics, who needed a new outfielder to fill a big void and put him high on their offseason list.The versatile Joyce reached agreement on an $11 million, two-year contract Wednesday after passing a physical.Obviously the biggest thing that was kind of noticed for me was how interested they were and the opportunity to get substantial playing time again coming from the situations that I was in last year, Joyce said. Were really pumped and excited for the whole opportunity and how it worked out.The 32-year-old journeyman has played 140 games in each of three of the last four seasons, batting .242 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI this year for Pittsburgh. A regular pinch hitter, he started 30 games in right field and is likely to be a regular against right-handed hitting with a possible platoon role with Mark Canha.Joyce will earn $5 million in 2017 and $6 million the following season. Oakland dealt right fielder Josh Reddick to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and then sent Coco Crisp back to his former Cleveland club.Joyce will play for his fifth major league team as he begins his 10th season. The security means a lot for Joyce as he prepares for the birth of his first child.It was obviously the perfect fit, Joyce said. It was a great fit for the kind of player I am and the kind of organization Oakland is. Its a good opportunity with a two-year deal on the table with a lot of security and the chance to play a lot is huge for me.At 69-83, the As responded from losing 10 of 11 to win their final two games at Seattle and finish with one more victory than a year ago. But they finished in fifth place and at the bottom of the AL West for the second straight season -- another year of injuries and big-name departures.Their budget could tighten in the future, too. A person familiar with Major League Baseballs tentative new labor deal said the As revenue-sharing funds will be cut to 75 percent next year, 50 percent in 2018, 25 percent in 2019 and then phased out as part of the five-year agreement reached Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been signed.One of general manager David Forsts first calls this offseason was to Joyces agent, Seth Levinson.I told him I thought Matt would be a good fit. We made no secret of the fact that we were out there looking for outfielders, Forst said. Hes a guy who has played in the American League, spent a year in the American League West, hes familiar with everything here. He has a really consistent track record of hitting right-handed pitching.While Forst envisions Joyce as a regular against righty pitchers, Oaklands brass also took notice of his adjustments and progress hitting lefties last season. For a club that puts value in walks and on-base percentage, his patience at the plate was another important factor.The As are still actively looking for a center fielder and might add at the corner outfield spots, too, Forst said.Catcher Stephen Vogt will be a familiar face for Joyce as they were teammates in 2012 with Tampa Bay.Im excited to have Matt here! Vogt wrote in a text message. He was a good friend and teammate and happy to be playing with him again. He is a smart and great hitter with one of the smoothest swings in baseball. We are going to learn a lot from him. Josh Oliver Jaguars Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Ryquell Armstead Jaguars Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.officialjacksonvillejaguarspro.com/Chris-conley-jaguars-jersey/ . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Josh Oliver Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Ryquell Armstead Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Barry Bonds, who was fired as Miami Marlins hitting coach after just one season on Wednesday, posted to his personal blog a message of thanks and farewell to club officials on Thursday afternoon.Working with the Marlins this past season has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my baseball career, he wrote. I am grateful and humbled that Jeffrey Loria and the Marlins gave me the opportunity to be a part of their organization. Though my contract was only for one year, I enjoyed sharing my hitting knowledge and other aspects of the game with such a talented group of players.I am proud of the their development and accomplishments over the course of the season and hope they will be able to continue to build off their hard work as they head into next year. I look forward to what the future holds for me - but I do know that baseball is and always will be in my blood.Bonds made a full-time return to baseball this season when he joined the Marlins. Owner Jeffrrey Loria first suggested hiring the steroids-tainted home run king and new manager Don Mattingly went along with the idea.ddddddddddddut the Marlins improved only marginally under the slugging great.The Marlins this season scored 655 runs, which ranked ahead of only the Braves and Phillies in the National League.Mattingly said the organization decided to move in a different direction with its coaching staff.I dont need to get into the reasons really with anything with Barry, Mattingly said. We feel like any time you talk about coaches and letting someone go those are not easy things to talk about. Well just try to get the best guy for the situation.Bonds, who hit 762 home runs, ended his playing career in 2007.The Marlins also fired third base coach Lenny Harris?and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius as part of the changes on Wednesday. ' ' '