OAKLAND -- Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane said Friday he expects the majority of the A's team that won 94 games and the American League West this year to be back in 2013.
The A's made the playoffs for the first time since 2006, losing in five games in the ALDS to the Detroit Tigers, and energized the Oakland fan base.
"The satisfying thing about the crowd response to this team last night was that they're going to get to see this same team by and large next year," Beane said a day after the A's lost Game 5 to the Tigers. "If there's moves made, the idea would be additions.
"I've had situations where we had great seasons and I knew the team was not going to be back by virtue of free agency, things like that. (We will) try and continue the momentum in the winter. We should be able to build on this for next year."
The A's have options to weigh at second and third base next year, and will have to decide whether to bring a few key pieces back. Outfielder Jonny Gomes, who became a central clubhouse figure, is a free agent, and shortstop Stephen Drew has a reported $10 million mutual option for next season.
Beane said the season, in which the A's won the division on the final day after being widely expected to finish at or near the bottom of the West in the spring, "was arguably the most enjoyable year I've had."
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