This wasn't a surprise; GM Billy Beane made it known he would exercise the team's $7.5 million option for its center fielder soon after the ALDS loss to the Tigers.

The A's also exercised an $8 million option on left-hander Brett Anderson as planned and declined an $8.5 million option on catcher Kurt Suzuki and an $11 million option outfielder Chris Young.

A switch-hitter and speedy leadoff man, Crisp hit a career-high 22 home runs in 2013. Even Crisp, now 34, himself was surprised by the power surge.

"Luck of the draw for me. I have, I guess, enough power to do since I've done it," Crisp said late in the season. "But that's not my game. It's part of it, a little bit but 20 home runs, 20-plus home runs has kind of caught me off guard. I think it caught a lot of people off guard, especially having more home runs than stolen bases.

"I'll take it. Next year it might go back to normal where I hit 10 to 15 and steal more bases. I hope that's what it is. It's just one of those years I'm grateful for."

Young gets a $1.5 million buyout and Suzuki $650,000.

Beane envisions Anderson back in the rotation in 2014 after a late-season stint as a reliever following an injury-shortened season. Anderson has a $12 million option for 2015.

The A's still must decide whether to re-sign 18-game winner Bartolo Colon, though they seemed hopeful last month. Colon and closer Grant Balfour became free agents Thursday.

Crisp, who turned 34 Friday, concluded his fourth season with the A's and a two-year, $14 million contract and helped Oakland win back-to-back AL West titles. He hasn't played more than 136 games in a season since arriving in the Bay Area, limited to 75 in 2010 and 120 last year. He batted .261 with the 22 homers, 66 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 131 games this year.


OLD-SCHOOL TIES


When he was earning Gold Gloves and making All-Star appearances and winning a World Series as a player, new Nationals manager Matt Williams made an impression on Jayson Werth.

"The roughneck that played third base for all those years," is the way Worth put it Friday.

Now that Williams has his first chance to run a team, he wants to combine the way he played the game with modern elements of the game such as advanced scouting to aid fielders and hitters.

"Old school is old school, and that's great," Williams said after being introduced as the Nats' skipper, "but if you don't get along with the times, bro, you better just step aside."

Williams will retain most of predecessor Davey Johnson's staff, including bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty and hitting coach Rick Schu. Matt LeCroy, a former catcher for the Nationals, replaces Jim Lett as bullpen coach, and Mark Weidemaier will join in charge of defensive positioning.

Weidemaier was with the Diamondbacks, where Williams was the third-base coach the past three seasons.

Expect the Nationals to be aggressive on the base paths as Williams converts his coaching philosophy to his managerial instincts.

"A couple of years ago, I led the league in getting guys thrown out at the plate, which is good, I think. I think it's good. Now the fans of Arizona may think differently, and I've heard those fans from time to time," Williams said. "But I think that if you apply pressure, you have the advantage."

Williams takes over a club that, burdened by expectations, got off to a poor start and finished 86-76, 10 games behind the Braves in the NL East and out of the playoffs. Williams doesn't plan to fix what isn't broken.

"What I can say is that there are some things we can refine," he said. "I think we can play a little bit smarter baseball. I think we can use the tools that are given to us a little better."


SNAKE HANDLERS


Williams departure and other vacancies were addressed Friday by the Diamondbacks. They hired Dave McKay as first-base coach and shifted two current team employees to spots on manager Kirk Gibson's staff.

Glenn Sherlock will replace Williams as the third-base coach and Turner Ward will be the hitting coach.

McKay, 63, was the Cubs' first-base coach the past two seasons after a long run on Tony La Russa's staffs with the A's and Cardinals, including their 2006 and 2011 World Series champs.

McKay replaces Steve Sax, who was not re-hired. Previous hitting coach Don Baylor left to work for the Angels.


NEGATIVE OPTION


Closer Joe Nathan is a free agent after declining a $9 million contract option from the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers exercised their portion of the mutual option on Friday. But Nathan, who had indicated he wants a multiyear deal, was able to opt out of the deal after making 67 appearances this season. By declining the option, Nathan also gave up a $750,000 buyout.

Nathan, who turns 39 later this month, had 80 saves over the past two seasons in Texas. He was 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves in 2013.

General manager Jon Daniels says the Rangers believe like their bullpen is a strength and area of depth. He expects the next closer to come from within the organization.

Contributing: The Associated Press