Oakland finished the season even younger than it started after two trades and following injuries to Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis and Frank Thomas and the release of Mike Sweeney. The team set an Oakland record by using the DL 25 times this year and used an Oakland-record 21 rookies, with more likely to arrive on the scene in 2009.
BIGGEST NEEDS: Oakland's semi-annual hunt for a big right-handed bat is underway again. In fact, its need for offense is such that a left-handed hitter with some pop might work, too. The club finished last in the league in runs and last in the majors in average, and GM Billy Beane will scour the free agent market for a hitter or trade some pitching prospects for a bat. FREE AGENTS: 2B Mark Ellis, DH Frank Thomas, OF Emil Brown, RHP Keith Foulke
Ellis is the only one of the four with a good shot at being retained, but considering the team's youth movement, that's not a sure thing at all. Besides, he could get some interest on the open market. The A's have brought Thomas in twice and they're always looking for right-handed power, but they are placing a premium on health after two injury-riddled seasons, and Thomas is too much of a question mark in that regard. Brown and Foulke will not be back.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Huston Street, OF/DH Jack Cust, RHP Justin Duchscherer, C Rob Bowen, RHP Kirk Saarloos.
There is a strong possibility that the A's will trade Street, their former closer, though at one point there had been talks about a multi-year deal. Cust and Duchscherer are likely to get one-year deals, and Bowen and Saarloos are possible non-tender candidates.
IN LIMBO: RHP Huston Street, LHP Alan Embree, SS Bobby Crosby
The A's hold a $3 million option on veteran reliever Embree for next season that is likely to be picked up. Street is the most likely member of the club to be dealt because there are other teams in need of closers, plus he'd lost his closer spot in Oakland and then had a public disagreement with manager Bob Geren in the dugout in Detroit. Crosby will be a free agent after next season, which in Oakland often is a precursor to being shipped out.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Eric Chavez had season-ending shoulder surgery on Aug. 13 but is expected to be ready for spring training. If he cannot play third after two procedures on his right shoulder, a move to first base is a possibility.
2B Mark Ellis had season-ending shoulder surgery on Sept. 19 and is expected to be completely ready for spring training. The free agent might not be back with the A's, however.
RHP Justin Duchscherer experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right hip the final six weeks of the season and is scheduled for more tests in the offseason to determine if there is a need for more surgery. The two-time All-Star had been diagnosed with inflammation but was unable to throw from the stretch without pain, and his status is unclear. If he were to require more surgery, his availability early in the season would be doubtful.
DH Frank Thomas missed much of the season because of a severe quadriceps injury, but it did not require surgery and the reoccurrence of the injury in late August turned out to be scar tissue and inflammation. He said he probably could have played the final few weeks of the season. Like Ellis, Thomas is a free agent, but unlike Ellis, there is little chance he will be re-signed by Oakland.
RHP Andrew Brown was shut down because of shoulder problems in early August. He did not require surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training after extensive rest and then a strengthening program this winter.
