by Sports Xchange

The first tip-off came last winter, when the A's put him on waivers in an attempt to shed his salary. The second was when the club signed free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. And the third was when Cabrera was traded and the team inserted rookie Cliff Pennington at shortstop.

Crosby, the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year, repeatedly has made it clear that he has no desire to return to Oakland, and his father, former big-leaguer Ed Crosby, ripped the team and general manager Billy Beane during the season.

The A's, however, might have helped Crosby when it comes to free agency: By turning him into a utility infielder, Crosby probably has more value than he would have as strictly a solid defensive shortstop with a low batting average.

Crosby proved he could handle second and third, and he also played first very well, so he is more marketable, though he might have to sign a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He's made it clear he wants an everyday shortstop job, and that is going to be difficult to find after batting below .238 each of the past four seasons, several of them injury-filled.

Crosby's certain departure increases the possibility the team might re-sign Kennedy. Along with the fact that the club does not know how healthy third baseman Eric Chavez will be, the A's also will need someone who can play second and first; Kennedy also has served as an outfielder.