--OF Bobby Abreu is on Oakland's short list of free agent possibilities should the team strike out with Jason Giambi, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Abreu, 34, has a lifetime on-base percentage of .405, making him a good fit for the "Moneyball" A's, and his age might make him a better bet for a multiyear contract than Giambi.
--OF Garret Anderson might be a free agent option for the A's as the team looks to add another bat to the American League's worst offense. Oakland's top target remains DH/1B Jason Giambi, but Bobby Abreu or Anderson could fill the bill if Oakland doesn't land Giambi. Anderson, 36, won't be re-signed by his longtime club, the Angels, according to Angels general manager Tony Reagins. --DH Jason Giambi is still Oakland's focus on the free agent market after the A's failed to sign SS Rafael Furcal. The team was preparing to open talks with Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, before the holidays, but no developments were expected until early to mid-January. Giambi could play first as well as DH, and, if signed, he could push second-year 1B Daric Barton.
--OF Matt Murton, acquired in the Rich Harden deal with the Cubs in July, played 15 games with Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League and batted .321 with two homers, seven RBIs and nine runs. However, Murton also struck out 19 times while walking 12 times. Murton, 27, failed to win a big-league job with the A's after a brief stint in which he went 3-for-30.
--OF Rajai Davis, who won a reserve job with Oakland last season after being claimed on waivers from the Giants, batted .286 in 15 games in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason. He hit two home runs, drove in four runs, scored 11 and stole seven bases. Davis, 28, has a good shot at a bench job with the A's again. He stole 25 bases in 31 attempts with Oakland.
BY THE NUMBERS: 88 -- Oakland's stolen base total in 2008, 36 more than the previous season. The A's could emphasize team s even more in 2009.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think Garret is very comfortable with the AL West. I think (the A's) are a club he's very familiar with." -- Agent Scott Boras in the Contra Costa Times, speaking about Garret Anderson as a possible fit for Oakland.
