True, he also was in the last year of his contract, ie. he wanted to "display" his talents. When he went to the A's he got the opportunity to get significant playing time ( due to injuries and a "hot streak" ). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the A's signed him for two years. Occasionally, I go to one of the A's sites : http://www.oaklandfans.com/discus/messages/board-topics.html.
Yes, I agree that he'd be a great fit, especially in our current situation, it's a question of, at what cost ? On an aside, everyone has been throwing out the same names : Clement, Arroyo, Wells, etc. Then there's the untouchables: Pap, Lester, Hansen, etc. All of these real or proposed deals have not been completed. One name I haven't heard mentioned is Manny Declamen ( sorry if I have butchered any spelling my eyes are starting to give out from tax work ). He could be the wild card in any of these deals.
Edit : Still trying to figure out why the Sox are trying to sign Arroyo to a three year deal ? Is it for the Sox benifit or to complete a deal ?