--1B Daric Barton underwent arthroscopic hip surgery after the season when an MRI determined that the cause of his groin problems late in the season was actually a torn labrum in his right hip. Gary Waslewski, the Phoenix Coyotes' orthopedist, performed the procedure. Barton, 23, will be on crutches for six weeks but can begin swinging a bat shortly after that. His total rehab will be about 12 weeks, according to A's assistant general manager David Forst.
--LHP Greg Smith had arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left elbow. Assistant GM David Forst said that Smith, 24, was at home in late October when he went to sit down, and, as he braced himself, he felt a pop in his left elbow. An MRI showed three loose bodies in the elbow, which were removed by A's team orthopedist John Frazier. Smith, who is expected to begin the season in the A's rotation, will need two months of rehab. --The A's did not immediately announce whether they have picked up LHP Alan Embree's $3 million option for 2009. The 38-year-old reliever would be one of the few veteran pitchers on Oakland's roster, but the team does have good depth in relief, especially with LHP Jerry Blevins becoming a mainstay during the season. It isn't a clear-cut decision for the club, but with the team angling to add a free agent bat this winter, this might be a spot to trim some salary.
--2B Jemile Weeks, the team's top pick in the June draft, was held out of games in Instructional League while he recovered from a hip flexor injury that cost him most of the minor league season. Weeks is expected to be ready to play next spring, but the injury might have played some role in the A's decision to re-sign 2B Mark Ellis on Oct. 20.
--RHP Vince Mazzaro was named the Class AA pitcher of the year after going 12-3 with a 1.90 ERA in 22 starts. In 137 1/3 innings with Midland, the 22-year-old struck out 104 and walked 36. Mazzaro, who was promoted to Class AAA Sacramento for the final month of the season and the playoffs, is likely to get an invite to big-league spring training.
BY THE NUMBERS: .318 -- The A's league-low on-base percentage, not at all the sort of number expected from the "Moneyball" club.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think it's a great fit. I don't know if it will happen or not, and I don't know what the shape of the team will be, but Jason has had productive seasons in New York, and there's no doubt he could still be a good hitter. And he'd be a big hit in the clubhouse. Every time I watch him, it seems like he comes up with a big hit or a home run." -- 3B Eric Chavez, on the possibility of the A's pursing Jason Giambi this winter.
