A's unlikely to swim in free agent pool

In his most definitive comments to date about his offseason plans, A's GM Billy Beane on Tuesday -- two days before the free-agency frenzy kicks off in earnest -- suggested that whatever money is available to upgrade the team's talent might stay in the coffers unless it's used to pay the salaries of young players brought in via trade.

Beane, now more than ever, is committed to going young. If he doesn't think a current need -- third base, first base, shortstop and left field are unsettled -- can be filled by a prospect from within the organization, he'll be looking for swap partners.

Ideally, top prospects such as third baseman Brett Wallace and first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter will quickly blossom into the positional equivalent of A's closer Andrew Bailey, who on Monday was named the AL Rookie of the Year.

"We're going to look at young players to fill spots, first and foremost," Beane said. "If those players we'd like to acquire aren't obtainable, we'll consider bringing in guys who can hold the positions down. We're going to stay disciplined and try to do everything we can to fill those spots with young players.

"So the next step is to continue to bring guys like Andrew up here. That's our responsibility, and I know the deal. To sign a couple free agents and have three or four press conferences during the winter doesn't get it done. We're going to be disciplined."

Thus, Beane is likely to let infielder Adam Kennedy, one of two Oakland free agents the team would consider brining back (righty Justin Duchscherer is the other), entertain offers on the open market while Beane mulls over alternative -- read: younger and cheaper -- options as a possible solution at third base.

Beane's fairly emphatic stance also should effectively kill any rumors linking the A's to older free agents such as Miguel Tejada, Carlos Delgado, Jermaine Dye and Vladimir Guerrero.

--Mychael Urban