Kielty and A's finally come to agreement.

The A's and Kielty have finally agreed on a number: $2.1 million.

Kielty will likely be primarily a backup outfielder again for the A's, with Nick Swisher slated to start in left field, Mark Kotsay in center and Milton Bradley in right. Kielty, who is strongest against left-handed pitchers, batted .270 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 81 games for AL West champion Oakland last season.

His contract includes up to $100,000 in performance bonuses — $25,000 each for 300, 350, 400 and 450 plate appearances. His batting average last year was the second highest of his career after he hit .291 in 2002.

Kielty will be in the lineup primarily against LHP, as he absolutely clobbers LHP:

3 year numbers (2004-2006), via ESPN
vs LHP: 0.303 BA / 0.367 OBP / 0.519 SLG / 0.886 OPS
vs RHP: 0.214 BA / 0.314 OBP / 0.316 SLG / 0.630 OPS

I said it before and I'll say it again, Kielty should be in the lineup every time the A's face a lefty, I don't care if he thinks he can or should hit against righties. If Geren trots him out in the lineup too often against righties then he should keep an eye on the "help wanted" section of the newspaper.