The A's created some waves last winter by trading for Matt Holliday and signing free agent Jason Giambi.

It remains to be seen how active they'll be this offseason. But general manager Billy Beane reiterated his team's agenda this week while he was in Chicago attending the GM meetings.

"Our priority is to maintain and continue to get as many young players as we can and expand on what we did in the second half of the season into the offseason," Beane said. "All the decisions we make this offseason will be based on that."

That leaves veteran third baseman Adam Kennedy's status uncertain.

Kennedy is one of four A's who have filed for free agency, along with infielders Bobby Crosby and Nomar Garciaparra and right-hander Justin Duchscherer. Only Kennedy and Duchscherer are realistic possibilities to return to Oakland.

Teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents until Friday. At that point, players can talk contract with any team.

The A's have spoken with the agents for Kennedy and Duchscherer, but it's clear that neither player would be re-signed before hitting the open market.

Deciding whether to retain Kennedy is important, as the A's need some sort of contingency plan at third base next season. They're hopeful Eric Chavez will be healthy enough to start, but he's coming off his second back surgery.

They can't predict if prospect Brett Wallace will be ready to handle third base by Opening Day,

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or if Wallace might be better suited long-term to first base or outfield.

Given that, the A's could try dealing for a young third baseman in what's expected to be an active trade market this winter.

The A's also hope to add depth to the rotation, so re-signing Duchscherer is a consideration. Duchscherer missed the entire 2009 season with elbow and back problems, then in August was diagnosed with clinical depression. But his agent, Damon Lapa, said Tuesday that Duchscherer is doing well.

"He has absolutely dedicated himself to getting back on the field in 2010," Lapa said.

Expect the A's to explore free agency for starters even as Duchscherer remains on their radar.

Oakland has until Dec. 12 to decide whether to tender contracts to six arbitration-eligible players — Santiago Casilla, Jack Cust, Rajai Davis, Joey Devine, Scott Hairston and Michael Wuertz.

Casilla is a strong non-tender candidate considering Oakland's bullpen depth. And the A's have a tough call with Cust, who made $2.8 million last season and would appear due another raise for 2010.

Unsigned players who aren't tendered contracts by Dec. 12 become free agents.