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Settling in

By Chris Haft
The San Jose Mercury News

The A's know who their key newcomers are. They're just not sure what those players will provide.

Rookie Bobby Crosby inherits the shortstop position vacated by Miguel Tejada, who joined the sizable list of A's stars to depart through free agency. Left fielder Bobby Kielty, acquired from Toronto, and center fielder Mark Kotsay, late of San Diego, are projected to start in the revamped outfield. Six-year veteran Damian Miller, obtained from the Chicago Cubs, will handle the bulk of the catching. Arthur Rhodes, a free agent from Seattle, becomes Oakland's fourth closer in four years.

``We're not really a team that has position battles,'' said left-hander Mark Mulder, who combines with fellow starters Tim Hudson and Barry Zito to make the A's likely postseason contenders. ``We pretty much have it set.''

But performance is another matter.

Crosby excelled in the minors but is unproven at the major league level. Kotsay, the probable leadoff hitter, possesses the aptitude to bat first but has spent a tiny fraction of his six-year career in that role. Last year was Kielty's first full big league season. Rhodes, 34, never has closed regularly. Miller must adjust to a different pitching staff and league.

Recent history suggests the A's can cope. They survived extensive turnover during the previous two off-seasons (Jason Giambi, Jason Isringhausen and Johnny Damon in 2001-02; Ray Durham, Billy Koch and David Justice in 2002-03) to remain among the American League's elite. So bidding farewell to Tejada, catcher Ramon Hernandez and closer Keith Foulke might seem routine.

``We've learned to deal with it,'' Mulder said. ``It's part of the Oakland A's, you might say.''

In a spring that promises to be more of a proving ground than a tryout camp, here are five compelling questions the A's must address:

Can Crosby cut it?

The rookie will face daily scrutiny as he weathers inevitable comparisons to Tejada, the 2002 A.L. most valuable player who bolted for Baltimore and a six-year, $72 million deal. The A's hope to reduce the pressure on Crosby, 24, by freeing him from expectations.

``My suggestion to Bobby will be, just play like you do,'' Manager Ken Macha said. ``This kid is extremely intense, very focused, probably tougher on himself than I am on myself. You'd like to make it as comfortable as you can for him.''

Comfortable last year at Triple-A Sacramento, Crosby hit .308 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs. He trimmed his error total to 15 in 127 games with the River Cats after amassing 32 the year before at two minor league stops.

``He's ready for this move,'' Macha said.

Is Dye recast?

Intensive off-season workouts have Jermaine Dye feeling like he did in 2000, when he hit .321 with 33 homers and 118 RBIs for Kansas City. The A's would settle for anything close to that from Dye, who's expected to bat fourth.

Dye, 30, wants to obliterate memories of last season, when injuries limited him to 65 games and a .172 average, the lowest in the majors among players with at least 200 at-bats.

``There's a lot at stake for the A's, but there's a lot at stake for Jermaine, also,'' Macha said. ``He's at the end of his contract, and I know Jermaine. . . . He takes that all personally.''

Can Rhodes close?

An effective setup reliever for most of his 11-year career, Rhodes will shift his focus to the ninth inning. His career totals -- 17 saves in 44 chances -- indicate the A's are taking a risk.

Rhodes fits a closer's profile with his 6-foot-2 stature, glowering mound presence and ability to throw hard.

``He has as good an arm as anybody in our division,'' General Manager Billy Beane said.

Is Chavez leading man?

The A's appear likely to sign third baseman Eric Chavez to a multiyear contract, which would prevent him from becoming a free agent after the season.

Although the A's and Chavez would prefer to settle early in spring training, Beane said Wednesday that ``there's nothing imminent'' regarding a deal.

If the deal gets done, Chavez will be expected to step into a role he has never held with the A's -- the everyday team leader.

If the deal doesn't get done, Macha is optimistic Chavez won't allow his contract status to distract him.

``He told me, `It's time to fulfill the potential,' '' Macha said -- quite a statement from a guy who has averaged 32 homers and 108 RBIs while winning the A.L. Gold Glove awards in each of the past three years.

Do the parts fit?

Macha wants to form a left-right, left-right, left-right combination with his first six hitters. He knows where he'll use Kotsay (leadoff), Chavez (third) and Dye (fourth), which leaves room for tinkering with the switch-hitting Kielty and left-handed batters Scott Hatteberg and Erubiel Durazo. Macha also must determine how he'll use right-handed-hitting Eric Karros, who could fill in at first base or designated hitter.

Crosby and second baseman Mark Ellis must adapt to each other, as is the case for the Kielty-Kotsay-Dye outfield. Mark Redman (14-9 last year with Florida) and Rich Harden will attempt to settle into the rotation behind Hudson, Mulder and Zito. Miller has the enviable task of acclimating himself to the A's talented pitching staff, after handling Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling with Arizona and Mark Prior and Kerry Wood with the Cubs.

``We know who's going to be out there,'' Mulder said. ``It's a matter of everybody playing together.''

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Contact Chris Haft at chaft@mercurynews.com

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