--RHP Derrick Turnbow, who began the 2008 season as a setup man in the Milwaukee bullpen, signed a free agent deal with Texas, reuniting him with former Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux. Turnbow made only eight appearances (15.63 ERA) with the Brewers before being sent to Class AAA Nashville, where he spent the remainder of the season.
--C Jason Kendall not only vested his 2009 option by making a major league-high 149 starts last season, he added performances bonuses that will boost his salary from $4.25 million to $5 million. --1B Prince Fielder is the only left-handed hitter guaranteed to play on a regular basis next season, a problem that general manager Doug Melvin has tried to solve this winter. Left-handed-hitting Mike Lamb, and perhaps rookie Mat Gamel, could share time at third base with right-handed-hitting Bill Hall.
--RHP Omar Aguilar will be an interesting relief pitcher to watch in spring training, especially after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League in which he allowed runs in just one of 11 appearances. Aguilar compiled a 0.35 ERA with 13 saves at Class A Brevard County last season before moving up to Class AA Huntsville, where he had a 3.08 ERA and four saves in 28 appearances, mostly as a setup man.
--3B Bill Hall hopes having LASIK eye surgery will improve his vision and allow him to bounce back offensively in 2009. Hall slugged 35 homers with 85 RBIs in 2006 but slipped to 14 and 63 in '07 and 15 and 55, with a .225 batting average, last season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Victories in 2008 for both RHP Jeff Suppan and LHP Manny Parra, the top total among the club's returning starting pitchers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "In four years in Oakland, I had four different bench coaches. Together, we'll get this figured out." -- Manager Ken Macha, referring to the changes made to the coaching staff over the winter, including the hiring of bench coach Willie Randolph.
