Oakland added depth nearly everywhere on the diamond, a reaction to three consecutive seasons marred by injuries, but the team did not add any power besides re-signing last year's top home run hitter, Jack Cust. The team's strengths appear to be pitching, speed and depth. ARRIVALS: RHP Ben Sheets (free agent from Brewers), OF Coco Crisp (signed as a free agent from Royals), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (trade with Padres), INF Adam Rosales (trade with Reds), INF Steve Tolleson (waivers from Twins), OF Gabe Gross (free agent from Rays), INF Jake Fox (trade with Cubs), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent from Rangers). DEPARTURES: OF Scott Hairston (traded to Padres), INF Adam Kennedy (free agent, signed with Nationals), INF Nomar Garciaparra (retired), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent, unsigned), LHP Dana Eveland (traded to Blue Jays), RHP Santiago Casilla (released, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Oakland needs to find a fifth starter from a group that includes one of last year's mainstays, RHP Trevor Cahill, who is the leading candidate. In addition, the club must evaluate INF Eric Chavez's health, which could determine several roster spots. If Chavez can handle utility infield duties after back surgery, INF Adam Rosales and possibly INF Jake Fox will open the season in the minors. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Ben Sheets 2. RHP Justin Duchscherer 3. LHP Dallas Braden 4. LHP Brett Anderson 5. RHP Trevor Cahill Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland and already has been named the opening-day starter, while two-time All-Star Duchscherer re-signed with the A's after missing all of last year because of a minor elbow injury and clinical depression. Anderson's fine rookie season could earn him the No. 3 spot over the more experienced Braden, but Braden was the team's opening-night starter last year, while Cahill is the most likely candidate for the final spot ahead of LHP Gio Gonzalez and RHP Vin Mazzaro. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Andrew Bailey (closer) RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Joey Devine LHP Craig Breslow RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Brad Kilby LHP Gio Gonzalez There's no doubt that this is one of the league's best units: Bailey is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, while Wuertz's season was among the best of all major-league relievers. Devine was last year's projected closer but missed the season after Tommy John surgery, and Ziegler also has served as Oakland's closer. Breslow will be the primary lefty, and while Jerry Blevins might get a shot with a good spring, Kilby's excellent September showing probably gave him an edge going into camp. Gonzalez is a possible long man if he doesn't crack the rotation. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Rajai Davis 2. CF Coco Crisp 3. C Kurt Suzuki 4. DH Jack Cust 5. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff 6. RF Ryan Sweeney 7. 2B Mark Ellis 8. 1B Daric Barton 9. SS Cliff Pennington The biggest question marks here are at first base -- which could be some combination of Barton, Eric Chavez, Chris Carter and Jake Fox as the season goes along -- and shortstop, where Pennington is relatively unproven though he was a pleasant surprise in the second half of 2009. The lineup has little power apart from Jack Cust but lots of speed, with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Ellis, Pennington and even Suzuki capable of stealing bases. Expect the A's to do a lot of running. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Landon Powell INF Eric Chavez INF Jake Fox OF Gabe Gross If Chavez's twice-repaired back won't allow him to play in the field, he will have to make a decision about his future (he has suggested he will retire) and the A's will need a backup middle infielder. That's likely Adam Rosales, who was acquired from the Reds. Chavez believes he can handle backing up everywhere, including shortstop, if his back is OK. Gross' competition for the backup outfield spot includes Travis Buck, who was a starter in right two years ago, and top prospect Michael Taylor, who could be up by the middle of the season. TOP ROOKIES: OF Michael Taylor, picked up in the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies in exchange for sending 3B Brett Wallace to Toronto, is a good bet to be up this season. The former Stanford player, 24, hit .320 with 20 homers and 84 RBI at two levels last year. 1B/OF Chris Carter, 23, also is expected to be on the roster at some point. The A's minor league player of the year hit .329 with 28 homers and 115 RBI at two levels in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --CF Coco Crisp (strained left hamstring) was hurt March, and he was expected to miss at least a few days of action. He expects to be ready for opening day. --3B Eric Chavez (back surgery in June 2009) was ready for spring training, although the A's were likely to take it easy with him. --RHP Joey Devine (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2009) was shut down for a week in mid-March. He might not be ready for the start of the season. --RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow surgery in February 2009) is expected to be Oakland's opening-night starter. --RHP Justin Duchscherer (elbow surgery in March 2009, clinical depression) was slowed by lower back pain early in camp.

--CF Coco Crisp strained his left hamstring in the March 9 game, and he was expected to miss at least a few days of action. However, he said he thought he'd still be ready for opening day. --RHP Joey Devine, who had Tommy John surgery last year, was unable to get his fastball up to speed in a March 9 bullpen session. That prompted the team to shut him down for a week. There is a chance Devine won't be ready for the start of the regular season. --LHP Jay Marshall, claimed off waivers by the Mets from A's in January, was returned to Oakland after New York found he had an existing left shoulder injury. The A's promptly released him. --RHP Justin Duchscherer is doing work off the front of the mound, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, as he comes back from a procedure to eliminate irritation in his sacroiliac joint. Duchscherer was told not to throw off the mound for two weeks, but he believes he'll still be ready for the opening-day roster. --RHP Ben Sheets allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in his first spring start, which came against his longtime team, the Brewers. Sheets said he felt great physically, although he was nervous to take the mound for the first time in 17 months after surgery to repair his elbow last year. --3B Eric Chavez played his first-ever game at first base on March 5 and made one error, on a pickoff attempt from LHP Lenny DiNardo. But he also made a nice sliding stop to his right on a grounder by Gregg Zaun and a good lunging catch on an offline throw from SS Adam Rosales. Chavez, trying to return from two back surgeries, also tripled in his first at-bat of the spring. --RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league deal with the A's and he threw a simulated game on March 5. Jennings, who will be stretched to start, could be used as a spot starter or in long or middle relief; Oakland liked the work he did in the Texas bullpen in the first half of 2009. --RHP Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the A's and is continuing to rehab from the nerve problem in his right arm that ended his season last September. Tomko, 36, went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with Oakland last year. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he expects to be pitching in games anytime from mid-April to the end of May. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- Age of the youngest player in camp, catcher Max Stassi. A fourth-round pick last June, Stassi is considered a can't-miss prospect. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We parted ways on good terms, but a part of you says, 'You missed a player who was right under your nose the whole time.'" -- A's infielder/catcher Jake Fox on his feelings about the Cubs after getting traded last winter, in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland has been among the league leaders in injuries three years in a row, so depth is a primary objective for the team. That's why the A's signed right-handers Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko during the second week of camp. Both men agreed to minor league deals, and Jennings was close to appearing in a spring game for Oakland. Jennings has a good shot at the A's bullpen if he has a decent spring; the team liked what the 2002 NL Rookie of the Year did in relief with Texas early in the 2009 season. Should the A's decide to send to Triple-A Sacramento the young starters who lose out on the fifth-starter competition (Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez are in the mix for the last spot in the rotation), then Jennings could be the long man/middle reliever. The 31-year-old said he'd be pleased with any role, and the A's said they'll stretch him out to start. Tomko reported to the Oakland's minor league camp and was still going through physical therapy and treatment for the nerve injury that sidelined him in the final month of last season. Tomko, 36, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to be throwing in games anywhere from mid-April to late May depending on how quickly the nerve in his right arm regenerates. Tomko told the paper he'd received a comparable offer from the Twins but enjoyed his time in Oakland, where he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA, plus he likes the proximity to his home in Southern California. Jennings said he nearly signed with the Giants and also talked to the Mets and St. Louis. Each man has a major league salary of $700,000 if he plays in Oakland, according to the Chronicle. WHERE: Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first-ever spring training homer there), and it once doubled as a potential bomb shelter. The A's moved from Scottsdale to Phoenix Muni in 1984, and it underwent an $8 million facelift in 2005. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren has led the A's for three years, and the team has yet to finish above .500 under the former big-league catcher. Geren's record starts at 226-259, and the club was last in the AL West in 2009. The real big kahuna for the A's is general manager Billy Beane, who is known for getting a lot out of a small payroll, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2006.

Oakland added depth nearly everywhere on the diamond, a reaction to three consecutive seasons marred by injuries, but the team did not add any power besides re-signing last year's top home run hitter, Jack Cust. The team's strengths appear to be pitching, speed and depth. ARRIVALS: RHP Ben Sheets (free agent from Brewers), OF Coco Crisp (signed as a free agent from Royals), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (trade with Padres), INF Adam Rosales (trade with Reds), INF Steve Tolleson (waivers from Twins), OF Gabe Gross (free agent from Rays), INF Jake Fox (trade with Cubs), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent from Rangers). DEPARTURES: OF Scott Hairston (traded to Padres), INF Adam Kennedy (free agent, signed with Nationals), INF Nomar Garciaparra (free agent, unsigned), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent, unsigned), LHP Dana Eveland (traded to Blue Jays), RHP Santiago Casilla (released, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Oakland needs to find a fifth starter from a group that includes one of last year's mainstays, RHP Trevor Cahill, who is the leading candidate. In addition, the club must evaluate INF Eric Chavez's health, which could determine several roster spots. If Chavez can handle utility infield duties after back surgery, INF Adam Rosales and possibly INF Jake Fox will open the season in the minors. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Ben Sheets 2. RHP Justin Duchscherer 3. LHP Dallas Braden 4. LHP Brett Anderson 5. RHP Trevor Cahill Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland and already has been named the opening-day starter, while two-time All-Star Duchscherer re-signed with the A's after missing all of last year because of a minor elbow injury and clinical depression. Anderson's fine rookie season could earn him the No. 3 spot over the more experienced Braden, but Braden was the team's opening-night starter last year, while Cahill is the most likely candidate for the final spot ahead of LHP Gio Gonzalez and RHP Vin Mazzaro. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Andrew Bailey (closer) RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Joey Devine LHP Craig Breslow RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Brad Kilby LHP Gio Gonzalez There's no doubt that this is one of the league's best units: Bailey is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, while Wuertz's season was among the best of all major-league relievers. Devine was last year's projected closer but missed the season after Tommy John surgery, and Ziegler also has served as Oakland's closer. Breslow will be the primary lefty, and while Jerry Blevins might get a shot with a good spring, Kilby's excellent September showing probably gave him an edge going into camp. Gonzalez is a possible long man if he doesn't crack the rotation. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Rajai Davis 2. CF Coco Crisp 3. C Kurt Suzuki 4. DH Jack Cust 5. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff 6. RF Ryan Sweeney 7. 2B Mark Ellis 8. 1B Daric Barton 9. SS Cliff Pennington The biggest question marks here are at first base -- which could be some combination of Barton, Eric Chavez, Chris Carter and Jake Fox as the season goes along -- and shortstop, where Pennington is relatively unproven though he was a pleasant surprise in the second half of 2009. The lineup has little power apart from Jack Cust but lots of speed, with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Ellis, Pennington and even Suzuki capable of stealing bases. Expect the A's to do a lot of running. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Landon Powell INF Eric Chavez INF Jake Fox OF Gabe Gross If Chavez's twice-repaired back won't allow him to play in the field, he will have to make a decision about his future (he has suggested he will retire) and the A's will need a backup middle infielder. That's likely Adam Rosales, who was acquired from the Reds. Chavez believes he can handle backing up everywhere, including shortstop, if his back is OK. Gross' competition for the backup outfield spot includes Travis Buck, who was a starter in right two years ago, and top prospect Michael Taylor, who could be up by the middle of the season. TOP ROOKIES: OF Michael Taylor, picked up in the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies in exchange for sending 3B Brett Wallace to Toronto, is a good bet to be up this season. The former Stanford player, 24, hit .320 with 20 homers and 84 RBI at two levels last year. 1B/OF Chris Carter, 23, also is expected to be on the roster at some point. The A's minor league player of the year hit .329 with 28 homers and 115 RBI at two levels in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --3B Eric Chavez (back surgery in June 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training, although the A's are likely to take it easy with him. --OF Coco Crisp (shoulder surgeries) is expected to be fully ready for spring training. --RHP Joey Devine (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2009) is expected to be ready to pitch out of the bullpen by the first week of the season. --RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow surgery in February 2009) is expected to be Oakland's opening-night starter. --LHP Dallas Braden (foot) has recovered from the infection that cost him the final month of the 2009 season. --RHP Justin Duchscherer (elbow surgery in March 2009, clinical depression) was slowed by lower back pain early in camp. --OF Ryan Sweeney (knees) did not have surgery for his soreness but was instructed to rest this winter. He is expected to be at full strength this spring. --RHP Vin Mazzaro (shoulder tendinitis) is expected to be able to participate fully in spring.

--RHP Justin Duchscherer is doing work off the front of the mound, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, as he comes back from a procedure to eliminate irritation in his sacroiliac joint. Duchscherer was told not to throw off the mound for two weeks, but he believes he'll still be ready for the opening-day roster. --RHP Ben Sheets allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in his first spring start, which came against his longtime team, the Brewers. Sheets said he felt great physically, although he was nervous to take the mound for the first time in 17 months after surgery to repair his elbow last year. --3B Eric Chavez played his first-ever game at first base on March 5 and made one error, on a pickoff attempt from LHP Lenny DiNardo. But he also made a nice sliding stop to his right on a grounder by Gregg Zaun and a good lunging catch on an offline throw from SS Adam Rosales. Chavez, trying to return from two back surgeries, also tripled in his first at-bat of the spring. --RHP Joey Devine, who had Tommy John surgery last year, is throwing bullpen sessions and could be pitching in spring games within the next week. Devine told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is throwing breaking balls and his velocity is good; he believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season. --RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league deal with the A's and he threw a simulated game on March 5. Jennings, who will be stretched to start, could be used as a spot starter or in long or middle relief; Oakland liked the work he did in the Texas bullpen in the first half of 2009. --RHP Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the A's and is continuing to rehab from the nerve problem in his right arm that ended his season last September. Tomko, 36, went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with Oakland last year. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he expects to be pitching in games anytime from mid-April to the end of May. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- Age of the youngest player in camp, catcher Max Stassi. A fourth-round pick last June, Stassi is considered a can't-miss prospect. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We parted ways on good terms, but a part of you says, 'You missed a player who was right under your nose the whole time.'" -- A's infielder/catcher Jake Fox on his feelings about the Cubs after getting traded last winter, in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland has been among the league leaders in injuries three years in a row, so depth is a primary objective for the team. That's why the A's signed right-handers Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko during the second week of camp. Both men agreed to minor league deals, and Jennings was close to appearing in a spring game for Oakland. Jennings has a good shot at the A's bullpen if he has a decent spring; the team liked what the 2002 NL Rookie of the Year did in relief with Texas early in the 2009 season. Should the A's decide to send to Triple-A Sacramento the young starters who lose out on the fifth-starter competition (Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez are in the mix for the last spot in the rotation), then Jennings could be the long man/middle reliever. The 31-year-old said he'd be pleased with any role, and the A's said they'll stretch him out to start. Tomko reported to the Oakland's minor league camp and was still going through physical therapy and treatment for the nerve injury that sidelined him in the final month of last season. Tomko, 36, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to be throwing in games anywhere from mid-April to late May depending on how quickly the nerve in his right arm regenerates. Tomko told the paper he'd received a comparable offer from the Twins but enjoyed his time in Oakland, where he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA, plus he likes the proximity to his home in Southern California. Jennings said he nearly signed with the Giants and also talked to the Mets and St. Louis. Each man has a major league salary of $700,000 if he plays in Oakland, according to the Chronicle. WHERE: Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first-ever spring training homer there), and it once doubled as a potential bomb shelter. The A's moved from Scottsdale to Phoenix Muni in 1984, and it underwent an $8 million facelift in 2005. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren has led the A's for three years, and the team has yet to finish above .500 under the former big-league catcher. Geren's record starts at 226-259, and the club was last in the AL West in 2009. The real big kahuna for the A's is general manager Billy Beane, who is known for getting a lot out of a small payroll, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2006.

Oakland added depth nearly everywhere on the diamond, a reaction to three consecutive seasons marred by injuries, but the team did not add any power besides re-signing last year's top home run hitter, Jack Cust. The team's strengths appear to be pitching, speed and depth. ARRIVALS: RHP Ben Sheets (free agent from Brewers), OF Coco Crisp (signed as a free agent from Royals), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (trade with Padres), INF Adam Rosales (trade with Reds), INF Steve Tolleson (waivers from Twins), OF Gabe Gross (free agent from Rays), INF Jake Fox (trade with Cubs), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent from Rangers). DEPARTURES: OF Scott Hairston (traded to Padres), INF Adam Kennedy (free agent, signed with Nationals), INF Nomar Garciaparra (free agent, unsigned), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent, unsigned), LHP Dana Eveland (traded to Blue Jays), RHP Santiago Casilla (released, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Oakland needs to find a fifth starter from a group that includes one of last year's mainstays, RHP Trevor Cahill, who is the leading candidate. In addition, the club must evaluate INF Eric Chavez's health, which could determine several roster spots. If Chavez can handle utility infield duties after back surgery, INF Adam Rosales and possibly INF Jake Fox will open the season in the minors. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Ben Sheets 2. RHP Justin Duchscherer 3. LHP Dallas Braden 4. LHP Brett Anderson 5. RHP Trevor Cahill Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland and already has been named the opening-day starter, while two-time All-Star Duchscherer re-signed with the A's after missing all of last year because of a minor elbow injury and clinical depression. Anderson's fine rookie season could earn him the No. 3 spot over the more experienced Braden, but Braden was the team's opening-night starter last year, while Cahill is the most likely candidate for the final spot ahead of LHP Gio Gonzalez and RHP Vin Mazzaro. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Andrew Bailey (closer) RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Joey Devine LHP Craig Breslow RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Brad Kilby LHP Gio Gonzalez There's no doubt that this is one of the league's best units: Bailey is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, while Wuertz's season was among the best of all major-league relievers. Devine was last year's projected closer but missed the season after Tommy John surgery, and Ziegler also has served as Oakland's closer. Breslow will be the primary lefty, and while Jerry Blevins might get a shot with a good spring, Kilby's excellent September showing probably gave him an edge going into camp. Gonzalez is a possible long man if he doesn't crack the rotation. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Rajai Davis 2. CF Coco Crisp 3. C Kurt Suzuki 4. DH Jack Cust 5. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff 6. RF Ryan Sweeney 7. 2B Mark Ellis 8. 1B Daric Barton 9. SS Cliff Pennington The biggest question marks here are at first base -- which could be some combination of Barton, Eric Chavez, Chris Carter and Jake Fox as the season goes along -- and shortstop, where Pennington is relatively unproven though he was a pleasant surprise in the second half of 2009. The lineup has little power apart from Jack Cust but lots of speed, with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Ellis, Pennington and even Suzuki capable of stealing bases. Expect the A's to do a lot of running. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Landon Powell INF Eric Chavez INF Jake Fox OF Gabe Gross If Chavez's twice-repaired back won't allow him to play in the field, he will have to make a decision about his future (he has suggested he will retire) and the A's will need a backup middle infielder. That's likely Adam Rosales, who was acquired from the Reds. Chavez believes he can handle backing up everywhere, including shortstop, if his back is OK. Gross' competition for the backup outfield spot includes Travis Buck, who was a starter in right two years ago, and top prospect Michael Taylor, who could be up by the middle of the season. TOP ROOKIES: OF Michael Taylor, picked up in the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies in exchange for sending 3B Brett Wallace to Toronto, is a good bet to be up this season. The former Stanford player, 24, hit .320 with 20 homers and 84 RBI at two levels last year. 1B/OF Chris Carter, 23, also is expected to be on the roster at some point. The A's minor league player of the year hit .329 with 28 homers and 115 RBI at two levels in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --3B Eric Chavez (back surgery in June 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training, although the A's are likely to take it easy with him. --OF Coco Crisp (shoulder surgeries) is expected to be fully ready for spring training. --RHP Joey Devine (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2009) is expected to be ready to pitch out of the bullpen by the first week of the season. --RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow surgery in February 2009) is expected to be Oakland's opening-night starter. --LHP Dallas Braden (foot) has recovered from the infection that cost him the final month of the 2009 season. --RHP Justin Duchscherer (elbow surgery in March 2009, clinical depression) was slowed by lower back pain early in camp. --OF Ryan Sweeney (knees) did not have surgery for his soreness but was instructed to rest this winter. He is expected to be at full strength this spring. --RHP Vin Mazzaro (shoulder tendinitis) is expected to be able to participate fully in spring.

--RHP Justin Duchscherer is doing work off the front of the mound, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, as he comes back from a procedure to eliminate irritation in his sacroiliac joint. Duchscherer was told not to throw off the mound for two weeks, but he believes he'll still be ready for the opening-day roster. --RHP Ben Sheets allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in his first spring start, which came against his longtime team, the Brewers. Sheets said he felt great physically, although he was nervous to take the mound for the first time in 17 months after surgery to repair his elbow last year. --3B Eric Chavez played his first-ever game at first base on March 5 and made one error, on a pickoff attempt from LHP Lenny DiNardo. But he also made a nice sliding stop to his right on a grounder by Gregg Zaun and a good lunging catch on an offline throw from SS Adam Rosales. Chavez, trying to return from two back surgeries, also tripled in his first at-bat of the spring. --RHP Joey Devine, who had Tommy John surgery last year, is throwing bullpen sessions and could be pitching in spring games within the next week. Devine told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is throwing breaking balls and his velocity is good; he believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season. --RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league deal with the A's and he threw a simulated game on March 5. Jennings, who will be stretched to start, could be used as a spot starter or in long or middle relief; Oakland liked the work he did in the Texas bullpen in the first half of 2009. --RHP Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the A's and is continuing to rehab from the nerve problem in his right arm that ended his season last September. Tomko, 36, went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with Oakland last year. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he expects to be pitching in games anytime from mid-April to the end of May. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- Age of the youngest player in camp, catcher Max Stassi. A fourth-round pick last June, Stassi is considered a can't-miss prospect. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We parted ways on good terms, but a part of you says, 'You missed a player who was right under your nose the whole time.'" -- A's infielder/catcher Jake Fox on his feelings about the Cubs after getting traded last winter, in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland has been among the league leaders in injuries three years in a row, so depth is a primary objective for the team. That's why the A's signed right-handers Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko during the second week of camp. Both men agreed to minor league deals, and Jennings was close to appearing in a spring game for Oakland. Jennings has a good shot at the A's bullpen if he has a decent spring; the team liked what the 2002 NL Rookie of the Year did in relief with Texas early in the 2009 season. Should the A's decide to send to Triple-A Sacramento the young starters who lose out on the fifth-starter competition (Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez are in the mix for the last spot in the rotation), then Jennings could be the long man/middle reliever. The 31-year-old said he'd be pleased with any role, and the A's said they'll stretch him out to start. Tomko reported to the Oakland's minor league camp and was still going through physical therapy and treatment for the nerve injury that sidelined him in the final month of last season. Tomko, 36, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to be throwing in games anywhere from mid-April to late May depending on how quickly the nerve in his right arm regenerates. Tomko told the paper he'd received a comparable offer from the Twins but enjoyed his time in Oakland, where he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA, plus he likes the proximity to his home in Southern California. Jennings said he nearly signed with the Giants and also talked to the Mets and St. Louis. Each man has a major league salary of $700,000 if he plays in Oakland, according to the Chronicle. WHERE: Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first-ever spring training homer there), and it once doubled as a potential bomb shelter. The A's moved from Scottsdale to Phoenix Muni in 1984, and it underwent an $8 million facelift in 2005. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren has led the A's for three years, and the team has yet to finish above .500 under the former big-league catcher. Geren's record starts at 226-259, and the club was last in the AL West in 2009. The real big kahuna for the A's is general manager Billy Beane, who is known for getting a lot out of a small payroll, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2006.

Oakland added depth nearly everywhere on the diamond, a reaction to three consecutive seasons marred by injuries, but the team did not add any power besides re-signing last year's top home run hitter, Jack Cust. The team's strengths appear to be pitching, speed and depth. ARRIVALS: RHP Ben Sheets (free agent from Brewers), OF Coco Crisp (signed as a free agent from Royals), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (trade with Padres), INF Adam Rosales (trade with Reds), INF Steve Tolleson (waivers from Twins), OF Gabe Gross (free agent from Rays), INF Jake Fox (trade with Cubs), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent from Rangers). DEPARTURES: OF Scott Hairston (traded to Padres), INF Adam Kennedy (free agent, signed with Nationals), INF Nomar Garciaparra (free agent, unsigned), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent, unsigned), LHP Dana Eveland (traded to Blue Jays), RHP Santiago Casilla (released, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Oakland needs to find a fifth starter from a group that includes one of last year's mainstays, RHP Trevor Cahill, who is the leading candidate. In addition, the club must evaluate INF Eric Chavez's health, which could determine several roster spots. If Chavez can handle utility infield duties after back surgery, INF Adam Rosales and possibly INF Jake Fox will open the season in the minors. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Ben Sheets 2. RHP Justin Duchscherer 3. LHP Dallas Braden 4. LHP Brett Anderson 5. RHP Trevor Cahill Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland and already has been named the opening-day starter, while two-time All-Star Duchscherer re-signed with the A's after missing all of last year because of a minor elbow injury and clinical depression. Anderson's fine rookie season could earn him the No. 3 spot over the more experienced Braden, but Braden was the team's opening-night starter last year, while Cahill is the most likely candidate for the final spot ahead of LHP Gio Gonzalez and RHP Vin Mazzaro. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Andrew Bailey (closer) RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Joey Devine LHP Craig Breslow RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Brad Kilby LHP Gio Gonzalez There's no doubt that this is one of the league's best units: Bailey is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, while Wuertz's season was among the best of all major-league relievers. Devine was last year's projected closer but missed the season after Tommy John surgery, and Ziegler also has served as Oakland's closer. Breslow will be the primary lefty, and while Jerry Blevins might get a shot with a good spring, Kilby's excellent September showing probably gave him an edge going into camp. Gonzalez is a possible long man if he doesn't crack the rotation. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Rajai Davis 2. CF Coco Crisp 3. C Kurt Suzuki 4. DH Jack Cust 5. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff 6. RF Ryan Sweeney 7. 2B Mark Ellis 8. 1B Daric Barton 9. SS Cliff Pennington The biggest question marks here are at first base -- which could be some combination of Barton, Eric Chavez, Chris Carter and Jake Fox as the season goes along -- and shortstop, where Pennington is relatively unproven though he was a pleasant surprise in the second half of 2009. The lineup has little power apart from Jack Cust but lots of speed, with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Ellis, Pennington and even Suzuki capable of stealing bases. Expect the A's to do a lot of running. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Landon Powell INF Eric Chavez INF Jake Fox OF Gabe Gross If Chavez's twice-repaired back won't allow him to play in the field, he will have to make a decision about his future (he has suggested he will retire) and the A's will need a backup middle infielder. That's likely Adam Rosales, who was acquired from the Reds. Chavez believes he can handle backing up everywhere, including shortstop, if his back is OK. Gross' competition for the backup outfield spot includes Travis Buck, who was a starter in right two years ago, and top prospect Michael Taylor, who could be up by the middle of the season. TOP ROOKIES: OF Michael Taylor, picked up in the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies in exchange for sending 3B Brett Wallace to Toronto, is a good bet to be up this season. The former Stanford player, 24, hit .320 with 20 homers and 84 RBI at two levels last year. 1B/OF Chris Carter, 23, also is expected to be on the roster at some point. The A's minor league player of the year hit .329 with 28 homers and 115 RBI at two levels in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --3B Eric Chavez (back surgery in June 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training, although the A's are likely to take it easy with him. --OF Coco Crisp (shoulder surgeries) is expected to be fully ready for spring training. --RHP Joey Devine (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2009) is expected to be ready to pitch out of the bullpen by the first week of the season. --RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow surgery in February 2009) is expected to be Oakland's opening-night starter. --LHP Dallas Braden (foot) has recovered from the infection that cost him the final month of the 2009 season. --RHP Justin Duchscherer (elbow surgery in March 2009, clinical depression) was slowed by lower back pain early in camp. --OF Ryan Sweeney (knees) did not have surgery for his soreness but was instructed to rest this winter. He is expected to be at full strength this spring. --RHP Vin Mazzaro (shoulder tendinitis) is expected to be able to participate fully in spring.

--RHP Justin Duchscherer is doing work off the front of the mound, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, as he comes back from a procedure to eliminate irritation in his sacroiliac joint. Duchscherer was told not to throw off the mound for two weeks, but he believes he'll still be ready for the opening-day roster. --RHP Ben Sheets allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in his first spring start, which came against his longtime team, the Brewers. Sheets said he felt great physically, although he was nervous to take the mound for the first time in 17 months after surgery to repair his elbow last year. --3B Eric Chavez played his first-ever game at first base on March 5 and made one error, on a pickoff attempt from LHP Lenny DiNardo. But he also made a nice sliding stop to his right on a grounder by Gregg Zaun and a good lunging catch on an offline throw from SS Adam Rosales. Chavez, trying to return from two back surgeries, also tripled in his first at-bat of the spring. --RHP Joey Devine, who had Tommy John surgery last year, is throwing bullpen sessions and could be pitching in spring games within the next week. Devine told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is throwing breaking balls and his velocity is good; he believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season. --RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league deal with the A's and he threw a simulated game on March 5. Jennings, who will be stretched to start, could be used as a spot starter or in long or middle relief; Oakland liked the work he did in the Texas bullpen in the first half of 2009. --RHP Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the A's and is continuing to rehab from the nerve problem in his right arm that ended his season last September. Tomko, 36, went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with Oakland last year. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he expects to be pitching in games anytime from mid-April to the end of May. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- Age of the youngest player in camp, catcher Max Stassi. A fourth-round pick last June, Stassi is considered a can't-miss prospect. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We parted ways on good terms, but a part of you says, 'You missed a player who was right under your nose the whole time.'" -- A's infielder/catcher Jake Fox on his feelings about the Cubs after getting traded last winter, in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland has been among the league leaders in injuries three years in a row, so depth is a primary objective for the team. That's why the A's signed right-handers Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko during the second week of camp. Both men agreed to minor league deals, and Jennings was close to appearing in a spring game for Oakland. Jennings has a good shot at the A's bullpen if he has a decent spring; the team liked what the 2002 NL Rookie of the Year did in relief with Texas early in the 2009 season. Should the A's decide to send to Triple-A Sacramento the young starters who lose out on the fifth-starter competition (Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez are in the mix for the last spot in the rotation), then Jennings could be the long man/middle reliever. The 31-year-old said he'd be pleased with any role, and the A's said they'll stretch him out to start. Tomko reported to the Oakland's minor league camp and was still going through physical therapy and treatment for the nerve injury that sidelined him in the final month of last season. Tomko, 36, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to be throwing in games anywhere from mid-April to late May depending on how quickly the nerve in his right arm regenerates. Tomko told the paper he'd received a comparable offer from the Twins but enjoyed his time in Oakland, where he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA, plus he likes the proximity to his home in Southern California. Jennings said he nearly signed with the Giants and also talked to the Mets and St. Louis. Each man has a major league salary of $700,000 if he plays in Oakland, according to the Chronicle. WHERE: Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first-ever spring training homer there), and it once doubled as a potential bomb shelter. The A's moved from Scottsdale to Phoenix Muni in 1984, and it underwent an $8 million facelift in 2005. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren has led the A's for three years, and the team has yet to finish above .500 under the former big-league catcher. Geren's record starts at 226-259, and the club was last in the AL West in 2009. The real big kahuna for the A's is general manager Billy Beane, who is known for getting a lot out of a small payroll, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2006.

Oakland added depth nearly everywhere on the diamond, a reaction to three consecutive seasons marred by injuries, but the team did not add any power besides re-signing last year's top home run hitter, Jack Cust. The team's strengths appear to be pitching, speed and depth. ARRIVALS: RHP Ben Sheets (free agent from Brewers), OF Coco Crisp (signed as a free agent from Royals), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (trade with Padres), INF Adam Rosales (trade with Reds), INF Steve Tolleson (waivers from Twins), OF Gabe Gross (free agent from Rays), INF Jake Fox (trade with Cubs), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent from Rangers). DEPARTURES: OF Scott Hairston (traded to Padres), INF Adam Kennedy (free agent, signed with Nationals), INF Nomar Garciaparra (free agent, unsigned), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent, unsigned), LHP Dana Eveland (traded to Blue Jays), RHP Santiago Casilla (released, signed minor league deal with Giants). SPRING FOCUS: Oakland needs to find a fifth starter from a group that includes one of last year's mainstays, RHP Trevor Cahill, who is the leading candidate. In addition, the club must evaluate INF Eric Chavez's health, which could determine several roster spots. If Chavez can handle utility infield duties after back surgery, INF Adam Rosales and possibly INF Jake Fox will open the season in the minors. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Ben Sheets 2. RHP Justin Duchscherer 3. LHP Dallas Braden 4. LHP Brett Anderson 5. RHP Trevor Cahill Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland and already has been named the opening-day starter, while two-time All-Star Duchscherer re-signed with the A's after missing all of last year because of a minor elbow injury and clinical depression. Anderson's fine rookie season could earn him the No. 3 spot over the more experienced Braden, but Braden was the team's opening-night starter last year, while Cahill is the most likely candidate for the final spot ahead of LHP Gio Gonzalez and RHP Vin Mazzaro. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Andrew Bailey (closer) RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Joey Devine LHP Craig Breslow RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Brad Kilby LHP Gio Gonzalez There's no doubt that this is one of the league's best units: Bailey is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, while Wuertz's season was among the best of all major-league relievers. Devine was last year's projected closer but missed the season after Tommy John surgery, and Ziegler also has served as Oakland's closer. Breslow will be the primary lefty, and while Jerry Blevins might get a shot with a good spring, Kilby's excellent September showing probably gave him an edge going into camp. Gonzalez is a possible long man if he doesn't crack the rotation. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Rajai Davis 2. CF Coco Crisp 3. C Kurt Suzuki 4. DH Jack Cust 5. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff 6. RF Ryan Sweeney 7. 2B Mark Ellis 8. 1B Daric Barton 9. SS Cliff Pennington The biggest question marks here are at first base -- which could be some combination of Barton, Eric Chavez, Chris Carter and Jake Fox as the season goes along -- and shortstop, where Pennington is relatively unproven though he was a pleasant surprise in the second half of 2009. The lineup has little power apart from Jack Cust but lots of speed, with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Ellis, Pennington and even Suzuki capable of stealing bases. Expect the A's to do a lot of running. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Landon Powell INF Eric Chavez INF Jake Fox OF Gabe Gross If Chavez's twice-repaired back won't allow him to play in the field, he will have to make a decision about his future (he has suggested he will retire) and the A's will need a backup middle infielder. That's likely Adam Rosales, who was acquired from the Reds. Chavez believes he can handle backing up everywhere, including shortstop, if his back is OK. Gross' competition for the backup outfield spot includes Travis Buck, who was a starter in right two years ago, and top prospect Michael Taylor, who could be up by the middle of the season. TOP ROOKIES: OF Michael Taylor, picked up in the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies in exchange for sending 3B Brett Wallace to Toronto, is a good bet to be up this season. The former Stanford player, 24, hit .320 with 20 homers and 84 RBI at two levels last year. 1B/OF Chris Carter, 23, also is expected to be on the roster at some point. The A's minor league player of the year hit .329 with 28 homers and 115 RBI at two levels in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --3B Eric Chavez (back surgery in June 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training, although the A's are likely to take it easy with him. --OF Coco Crisp (shoulder surgeries) is expected to be fully ready for spring training. --RHP Joey Devine (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2009) is expected to be ready to pitch out of the bullpen by the first week of the season. --RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow surgery in February 2009) is expected to be Oakland's opening-night starter. --LHP Dallas Braden (foot) has recovered from the infection that cost him the final month of the 2009 season. --RHP Justin Duchscherer (elbow surgery in March 2009, clinical depression) was slowed by lower back pain early in camp. --OF Ryan Sweeney (knees) did not have surgery for his soreness but was instructed to rest this winter. He is expected to be at full strength this spring. --RHP Vin Mazzaro (shoulder tendinitis) is expected to be able to participate fully in spring.

--RHP Justin Duchscherer is doing work off the front of the mound, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, as he comes back from a procedure to eliminate irritation in his sacroiliac joint. Duchscherer was told not to throw off the mound for two weeks, but he believes he'll still be ready for the opening-day roster. --RHP Ben Sheets allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in his first spring start, which came against his longtime team, the Brewers. Sheets said he felt great physically, although he was nervous to take the mound for the first time in 17 months after surgery to repair his elbow last year. --3B Eric Chavez played his first-ever game at first base on March 5 and made one error, on a pickoff attempt from LHP Lenny DiNardo. But he also made a nice sliding stop to his right on a grounder by Gregg Zaun and a good lunging catch on an offline throw from SS Adam Rosales. Chavez, trying to return from two back surgeries, also tripled in his first at-bat of the spring. --RHP Joey Devine, who had Tommy John surgery last year, is throwing bullpen sessions and could be pitching in spring games within the next week. Devine told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is throwing breaking balls and his velocity is good; he believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season. --RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league deal with the A's and he threw a simulated game on March 5. Jennings, who will be stretched to start, could be used as a spot starter or in long or middle relief; Oakland liked the work he did in the Texas bullpen in the first half of 2009. --RHP Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the A's and is continuing to rehab from the nerve problem in his right arm that ended his season last September. Tomko, 36, went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with Oakland last year. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he expects to be pitching in games anytime from mid-April to the end of May. BY THE NUMBERS: 18 -- Age of the youngest player in camp, catcher Max Stassi. A fourth-round pick last June, Stassi is considered a can't-miss prospect. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We parted ways on good terms, but a part of you says, 'You missed a player who was right under your nose the whole time.'" -- A's infielder/catcher Jake Fox on his feelings about the Cubs after getting traded last winter, in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland has been among the league leaders in injuries three years in a row, so depth is a primary objective for the team. That's why the A's signed right-handers Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko during the second week of camp. Both men agreed to minor league deals, and Jennings was close to appearing in a spring game for Oakland. Jennings has a good shot at the A's bullpen if he has a decent spring; the team liked what the 2002 NL Rookie of the Year did in relief with Texas early in the 2009 season. Should the A's decide to send to Triple-A Sacramento the young starters who lose out on the fifth-starter competition (Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez are in the mix for the last spot in the rotation), then Jennings could be the long man/middle reliever. The 31-year-old said he'd be pleased with any role, and the A's said they'll stretch him out to start. Tomko reported to the Oakland's minor league camp and was still going through physical therapy and treatment for the nerve injury that sidelined him in the final month of last season. Tomko, 36, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to be throwing in games anywhere from mid-April to late May depending on how quickly the nerve in his right arm regenerates. Tomko told the paper he'd received a comparable offer from the Twins but enjoyed his time in Oakland, where he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA, plus he likes the proximity to his home in Southern California. Jennings said he nearly signed with the Giants and also talked to the Mets and St. Louis. Each man has a major league salary of $700,000 if he plays in Oakland, according to the Chronicle. WHERE: Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first-ever spring training homer there), and it once doubled as a potential bomb shelter. The A's moved from Scottsdale to Phoenix Muni in 1984, and it underwent an $8 million facelift in 2005. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren has led the A's for three years, and the team has yet to finish above .500 under the former big-league catcher. Geren's record starts at 226-259, and the club was last in the AL West in 2009. The real big kahuna for the A's is general manager Billy Beane, who is known for getting a lot out of a small payroll, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2006.