A's And Japanese Pitcher Iwakuma At A Standstill

OAKLAND (AP) ― A person with knowledge of the situation said Sunday that negotiations between the Oakland Athletics and Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma weren't getting anywhere.

The person, who wouldn't say talks had ended entirely, spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because it was an internal matter.

The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report Sunday that the parties were at a standstill.

Oakland won bidding rights to Iwakuma earlier this month and had 30 days to reach agreement on a contract, which no longer seems realistic.

The pitcher wanted a total package comparable to the $126 million, seven-year deal signed by San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito before the 2007 season, the source said.

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