DEPARTURES: LHP Dan Meyer (claimed on waivers by Marlins), LHP Greg Smith (traded to Rockies), RHP Huston Street (traded to Rockies), OF Carlos Gonzalez (traded to Rockies), LHP Alan Embree (free agent, signed with Rockies), RHP Andrew Brown (released), OF Matt Murton (traded to Rockies); OF Richie Robnett (traded to Cubs).

SPRING FOCUS: Playing time must be apportioned at first between Jason Giambi and Daric Barton and in the outfield between Jack Cust and Travis Buck. And the team must gauge if 3B Eric Chavez and 2B Mark Ellis are healthy after shoulder surgeries.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Justin Duchscherer

2. LHP Dana Eveland

3. RHP Sean Gallagher

4. LHP Dallas Braden

5. LHP Gio Gonzalez

Duchscherer made the All-Star team in his first go-round as a regular starter, but for the second consecutive year he missed the end of the season because of a hip injury. If 100 percent, as he is thought to be, he'll be the Opening Day starter.

The rest of the rotation is young, all 25 and under, and the fifth spot is undecided between Gonzalez and LHP Josh Outman, with hotshot prospects Vin Mazzaro, Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill waiting in the wings.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Brad Ziegler (closer)

RHP Joey Devine

RHP Russ Springer

LHP Jerry Blevins

RHP Michael Wuertz

RHP Santiago Casilla

Ziegler and Devine are expected to get save opportunities, and many believe Devine will wind up closing full-time at some point this season, with sidearmer Ziegler better suited to a setup role.

Springer will provide some experience to the group, which features three second-year players in Ziegler, Devine and Blevins. Casilla is out of options and has shown flashes of great ability, but he has not been consistent.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Ryan Sweeney

2. RF Jack Cust

3. LF Matt Holliday

4. DH Jason Giambi

5. 3B Eric Chavez

6. 2B Mark Ellis

7. C Kurt Suzuki

8. 1B Daric Barton

9. SS Bobby Crosby

Travis Buck also will see time in right field, especially when Giambi is at first base. Cust, Holliday and Giambi could wind up hitting third, fourth and fifth if a good option emerges to hit second -- Suzuki or Ellis, maybe, if hitting well.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Rob Bowen

INF Jack Hannahan

INF Cliff Pennington

OF Travis Buck

OF Rajai Davis

Bowen has proved a steady backup to Kurt Suzuki despite limited playing time. Jeff Baisley is also a candidate for a backup infield spot after showing some good things last September, and Rule 5 draftee Ben Copeland has a shot in the outfield.

TOP ROOKIES: LHP Josh Outman is the most likely rookie to make the big-league squad this spring after making six appearances with the A's last fall (1-2, 4.56 ERA), but RHP Vin Mazzaro could contend for a spot in the rotation (15-6 at Class AA and Class AAA last year) with LHP Brett Anderson, a member of Team USA, possibly by June or July.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Daric Barton (hip surgery) is expected to be close to fully recovered.

3B Eric Chavez (shoulder surgery) served as a DH early in spring training but had yet to appear in the field through March 9, when he suffered a setback. He expects to be back at third base to start the season.

2B Mark Ellis (shoulder surgery) will be close to ready or ready to play by Opening Day.

RHP Justin Duchscherer (sore elbow) won't make his first Cactus League start until at least March 12.