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Oakland general manager Billy Beane has been in contact with Greg Genske, who represents outfielder Shannon Stewart, and though Beane declined to provide details, he and Genske agreed that both sides would like at least to explore the idea of bringing back Stewart.

Assuming full health, Oakland has a full complement of starting outfielders in Nick Swisher, Mark Kotsay and Travis Buck. In addition, the A's are trying to figure out exactly what they're going to be next year: Do they have the players to contend, if healthy, or are they looking at adding players for the future, rebuilding a farm system that is as thin as it has been in years.

"It's hard to say which direction we're going in this winter, because of the health issues we've had," Beane said in discussing potential free-agent signings and other offseason moves. "A lot of things will be dictated by that (health) prognosis. Realistically, we might have a better idea at the winter meetings (Dec 3.-6)."