New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics Tickets

Athletics News:

From the moment Oakland acquired Daric Barton in the 2004 deal that sent left-hander Mark Mulder to St. Louis, he has been dubbed the organization's "first baseman of the future."

A's general manager Billy Beane went as far as to call him "the best pure hitter in the Minor Leagues."

However, Barton's rise through the A's organization stalled last season when he fractured his left elbow on May 23, missing the rest of the Triple-A season. Still only 21, Barton is out to prove the injury will not hinder him in the future.

So far, so good.

While Barton's slugging hasn't quite returned to form -- he has three doubles and no homers in 74 at-bats for Toros Del Este of the Dominican Winter League -- he's hitting .324 and has drawn 18 walks for a team-best .447 on-base percentage.

Barton is one of several A's prospects sharpening his skills in the winter leagues this offseason. Here's how the rest fared during the week of Dec. 5-12:

Venezuelan Winter League:

2B Gregorio Petit -- Petit went 1-for-4 in three games and is hitting .273 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 66 at-bats.

Yankees News:

Bernie Williams wants to finish his career with the Yankees, the only team for which he has ever played. The question now is, has he already played his final game for New York?

Williams, who just completed his 16th season in pinstripes on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, is back on the free-agent market for a second consecutive winter. But while Williams is hopeful to return to the Bronx for one more year, the Yankees haven't decided whether the veteran outfielder fits in their plans for 2007.

General manager Brian Cashman has spoken with both Williams and his agent, Scott Boras, at least two times, but he hasn't determined whether there will be a role for the 38-year-old Williams, who would be a fifth outfielder and switch-hitting pinch-hitter off the bench if he returned.

"We're working through how this club will shake out and where the opportunities on this club are -- if there are going to be any opportunities," Cashman said. "I've told Scott and Bernie to give us some time. There are no guarantees here."

Williams seems willing to give the Yankees as much time as they need to decide his future. A longtime friend of Williams said that the outfielder has no plans to finish his career with another team, leaving his fate in the Yankees' hands.

"I think it's the Yankees or nothing," said Williams' friend, who asked not to be identified. "It's going to be agonizing for Bernie if he has to wait all winter, but I don't think he'll play anywhere else."

Williams hit .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs last season, playing in 131 games. Although he was brought back to serve as a part-time DH and bench player, Williams was forced into action after Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield suffered major wrist injuries. Williams started 49 games in right field, 28 in center, five in left and 27 as the designated hitter.