Athleticstalk.com | Oakland Athletics News, athletics Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> Oakland's rebuilding efforts were expected to take three years or so, but the A's go into camp having added some significant bats during the winter -- and with the prospect of picking up another one if they can land a shortstop at the right price.</div>So Oakland's spring training will be about several things: seeing how much better Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi will make the American League's worst offense; seeing how playing time shakes out as a result of those two additions; and keeping an eye on incumbent shortstop Bobby Crosby and his attempt to keep his job even as the team considers options such as free agent Orlando Cabrera. Giambi's arrival means that one of Oakland's two more recognizable youngsters, outfielder Travis Buck or first baseman Daric Barton, will see reduced action. If one or the other doesn't perform well during the spring, the decision might be made. There is interest in both from other teams, too, so the lineup logjam could be resolved with a trade should the A's get an offer they like. Expect any Oakland deal to bring back a top young third baseman or shortstop, the two positions where the club has little in the minors. While the A's beefed up their bullpen as spring approached, adding Russ Springer and Michael Wuertz while continuing to look for an additional left-hander, the rotation does not include any new faces. Barring further moves before Opening Day, the A's will sport one of the youngest and least experienced rotations in the majors, with only one longtime big-leaguer, Justin Duchscherer, who was a reliever until last year. The rest of the rotation appears to include left-hander Dana Eveland, right-hander Sean Gallagher, left-hander Dallas Braden and either Gio Gonzalez or Josh Outman, who are both lefties. The odd man out probably goes to the bullpen, a spot where many scouts believe Gonzalez would flourish and a spot where Outman has previous experience. Another potential competition, though no one is presenting it as such, is who the regular closer will be. Manager Bob Geren said that one of two right-handers, Brad Ziegler or Joey Devine, can handle the role, and Ziegler held down the spot the final two months of 2008. Devine, though, might be better suited to closing because he has a power arm, and Ziegler's ability to go more than an inning and to come in and get grounders in double-play situations could make him a mean setup man. Both pitched extremely well last year as rookies. Health issues remain central, especially when it comes to third baseman Eric Chavez, who has missed much of the last three seasons because of various injuries. At one point last year, Chavez wondered if he would be able to return to the position where he has won six Gold Gloves, and there was speculation he might have to move to first base. A second surgery on his right shoulder appears to have solved the problems he was having, however, and Chavez said this winter there is "no doubt" he can return to third. The A's will be watching him closely all spring, along with second baseman Mark Ellis, who also had shoulder surgery. Duchscherer is coming off relatively minor hip surgery (he had more major hip surgery in July 2007) and Barton also had hip surgery. Duchscherer said he will not be limited at all during the spring, but Barton might be a bit behind the rest of the position players. With Giambi in town, the A's won't need Barton to rush, anyway, but he is sure to want to stake a claim to the first base job as soon as possible. WHERE, WHEN: Papago Park and Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Milwaukee in Maryvale, Ariz. TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: SS Bobby Crosby has been working on his hitting with former A's slugger Mark McGwire, and Crosby believes he has a lot to prove after Oakland unsuccessfully waived him this winter. Crosby might not even get the chance to surprise, though. The team is still looking for another shortstop heading into the spring. TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Brad Ziegler had a sensational rookie season that included a 39-inning scoreless streak to start his career, but sidearmers' effectiveness sometimes drops off after a time or two around the league. Ziegler's numbers certainly aren't likely to match last year's, no matter how strong a season he puts up. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren, 151-172 in his first two seasons with the A's, is still trying to claim his first winning season in the big leagues, but a packed disabled list has hurt his chances so far. Oakland has used the disabled list 47 times over the last two years. For the eighth time in as many years, Oakland has a new bench coach, with Tye Waller moving over from the third-base coaching box. Former A's infielder Mike Gallego gets that third-base spot, and hitting coach Jim Skaalen also is new.<div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

Oakland's rebuilding efforts were expected to take three years or so, but the A's go into camp having added some significant bats during the winter -- and with the prospect of picking up another one if they can land a shortstop at the right price.

So Oakland's spring training will be about several things: seeing how much better Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi will make the American League's worst offense; seeing how playing time shakes out as a result of those two additions; and keeping an eye on incumbent shortstop Bobby Crosby and his attempt to keep his job even as the team considers options such as free agent Orlando Cabrera.

Giambi's arrival means that one of Oakland's two more recognizable youngsters, outfielder Travis Buck or first baseman Daric Barton, will see reduced action.

If one or the other doesn't perform well during the spring, the decision might be made. There is interest in both from other teams, too, so the lineup logjam could be resolved with a trade should the A's get an offer they like.

Expect any Oakland deal to bring back a top young third baseman or shortstop, the two positions where the club has little in the minors.

While the A's beefed up their bullpen as spring approached, adding Russ Springer and Michael Wuertz while continuing to look for an additional left-hander, the rotation does not include any new faces.

Barring further moves before Opening Day, the A's will sport one of the youngest and least experienced rotations in the majors, with only one longtime big-leaguer, Justin Duchscherer, who was a reliever until last year.

The rest of the rotation appears to include left-hander Dana Eveland, right-hander Sean Gallagher, left-hander Dallas Braden and either Gio Gonzalez or Josh Outman, who are both lefties.

The odd man out probably goes to the bullpen, a spot where many scouts believe Gonzalez would flourish and a spot where Outman has previous experience.

Another potential competition, though no one is presenting it as such, is who the regular closer will be. Manager Bob Geren said that one of two right-handers, Brad Ziegler or Joey Devine, can handle the role, and Ziegler held down the spot the final two months of 2008.

Devine, though, might be better suited to closing because he has a power arm, and Ziegler's ability to go more than an inning and to come in and get grounders in double-play situations could make him a mean setup man. Both pitched extremely well last year as rookies.

Health issues remain central, especially when it comes to third baseman Eric Chavez, who has missed much of the last three seasons because of various injuries.

At one point last year, Chavez wondered if he would be able to return to the position where he has won six Gold Gloves, and there was speculation he might have to move to first base.

A second surgery on his right shoulder appears to have solved the problems he was having, however, and Chavez said this winter there is "no doubt" he can return to third.

The A's will be watching him closely all spring, along with second baseman Mark Ellis, who also had shoulder surgery.

Duchscherer is coming off relatively minor hip surgery (he had more major hip surgery in July 2007) and Barton also had hip surgery. Duchscherer said he will not be limited at all during the spring, but Barton might be a bit behind the rest of the position players.

With Giambi in town, the A's won't need Barton to rush, anyway, but he is sure to want to stake a claim to the first base job as soon as possible.

WHERE, WHEN: Papago Park and Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Milwaukee in Maryvale, Ariz.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: SS Bobby Crosby has been working on his hitting with former A's slugger Mark McGwire, and Crosby believes he has a lot to prove after Oakland unsuccessfully waived him this winter. Crosby might not even get the chance to surprise, though. The team is still looking for another shortstop heading into the spring.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Brad Ziegler had a sensational rookie season that included a 39-inning scoreless streak to start his career, but sidearmers' effectiveness sometimes drops off after a time or two around the league. Ziegler's numbers certainly aren't likely to match last year's, no matter how strong a season he puts up.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren, 151-172 in his first two seasons with the A's, is still trying to claim his first winning season in the big leagues, but a packed disabled list has hurt his chances so far. Oakland has used the disabled list 47 times over the last two years. For the eighth time in as many years, Oakland has a new bench coach, with Tye Waller moving over from the third-base coaching box. Former A's infielder Mike Gallego gets that third-base spot, and hitting coach Jim Skaalen also is new.

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