This has obviously been a leak from the A's side. I think they want to get this done sooner or later, and it is no coincidence that it happened right after all of the Sox pitching injuries, and it mentioned Andrew Vaughn by name two days after another rumor did the same thing. I think the A's want to get this done sooner, while the Sox want to get it done at their price.
We all know the Sox would much rather sneak up on someone and make a deal in quiet, while Oakland wants the whole world to know so that they can try to get more/bigger bids for their last big chess auction.
This information was obviously put out there for a reason and with a purpose.