A's general manager Billy Beane reiterated Tuesday that the A's are targeting for acquisition young players who could fit into the team's long-range plans.

And he gave his strongest confirmation yet that any additions this winter are likely to come through trades rather than free agency.

Though Beane says re-signing third baseman Adam Kennedy, 33, is "still an option for us," he implied the A's are looking to go younger there.

It's also evident the A's aren't ready to anoint prospect Brett Wallace the starter at third — not yet anyway.

"It's a position that other than Brett, we don't really have a long-term answer," Beane said. "Our first goal this winter, at the positions we need to fill, is to try and fill them with young guys first. If we get into January and we haven't acquired a young player, we'll consider guys to fill in temporarily (through free agency)."

A day after A's closer Andrew Bailey was named American League Rookie of the Year, Beane said he thinks several of the A's other top prospects could help Oakland in 2010.

Along with Wallace and highly touted first baseman Chris Carter, Beane mentioned second basemen Jemile Weeks and Adrian Cardenas, first baseman Sean Doolittle and outfielders Grant Desme and Corey Brown among players "you're probably going to see at some point during (next) season. (Guys) that we may not think are quite ready to start the season, but you never know."

Note: A's farm director Keith Lieppman was the recipient of the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award, presented by Minor League Baseball for distinguished service in player development.