--1B Daric Barton is not likely to be traded this winter, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The A's are known to have interest in DH/1B Jason Giambi, a free agent, as well as Nationals 1B Nick Johnson, but Barton is expected to get the bulk of the time at first base, at least to start the season. Barton had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip after the season ended.
--SS Rafael Furcal continued to be the A's primary focus as November winded down. Furcal visited Oakland and had lunch with GM Billy Beane, and he also got a guided tour of the area from Beane. It's possible that Furcal will make a decision before the winter meetings begin Dec. 8. --C Kurt Suzuki lost his positional coach, bench coach Don Wakamatsu, when Wakamatsu became Seattle's manager, and now Suzuki -- who hit .279, second best among A's regulars -- might lose his hitting coach, too. A's hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo may join Wakamatsu with the Mariners. Oakland was last in the league in runs, average and on-base percentage last season.
--RHP Joey Devine's role in the bullpen will be even more pronounced following Huston Street's departure to Colorado in the Matt Holliday deal. Many around the A's believe that Devine will be Oakland's closer in 2009. Though Brad Ziegler held the job the final two months of the season, Devine throws harder and he has more experience in the role at the lower levels.
--LHP Gio Gonzalez is among the young pitchers who might benefit from the Matt Holliday deal. Oakland sent LHP Greg Smith to the Rockies, and Gonzalez is expected to be one of the front-runners for the open spot in the rotation. Gonzalez was 1-4 with a 7.68 ERA as a rookie in 2008.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- The most victories by an Oakland starter in 2008. All-Star Justin Duchscherer went 10-8, but his season was shortened by the recurrence of a hip injury late in the season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The A's were great, everything worked out well. Raffy really enjoyed it and has a new perspective on Oakland. He felt they really wanted him." -- SS Rafael Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, in the San Francisco Chronicle.
