Sweeney proved to be a capable center fielder for Oakland and will look to cement himself as the starter there in 2009. Double-digit homers and steals are within the realm of possibilities. The 27-year-old Rajai Davis could eat into his starts against left-handers and be used as a pinch-runner.

Athletics.MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports Oakland Athletics OF Ryan Sweeney (finger) underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his left pinkie finger. "The ligament was torn away from the bone; they reattached it successfully," assistant GM David Forst said in an e-mail. "He's in a cast for two weeks, and will then begin rehab."

Sweeney played in pain for the majority of the season, battling a variety of injuries that limited him to 115 games. He spent two stints on the disabled list, once for a sprained thumb and once for a toe contusion. Returning in time for Spring Training appears likely, at which point Sweeney will get a chance to secure an everyday outfield job. The 23-year-old led the team's regulars with a .286 batting average and posted a .350 on-base percentage, nothing worth writing home about.