Barton signs one-year deal to avoid arbitration

OAKLAND -- The A's have signed first baseman Daric Barton to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration with their longest-tenured player.

A source has told MLB.com that it's the second straight non-guaranteed contract for Barton, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

That means Barton's deal stays intact only if he makes the team out of camp. If not, he'll either be designated for assignment or released. The former scenario unfolded at the conclusion of Spring Training last year, and Barton cleared waivers to remain in the organization.

The 28-year-old spent the balance of the season at Triple-A Sacramento, batting .297 with seven homers and 69 RBIs in 110 games. Per usual, Barton racked up plenty of walks (87) for a .423 on-base percentage. In two stints with the A's, he hit .269 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 37 games.

Barton will seemingly need a superb spring to earn a roster spot, as the A's already have Brandon Moss penciled in at first base, with Nate Freiman also an option. Oakland is also considering the idea of occasionally playing Alberto Callaspo at first base. John Jaso could see time there, too.

Barton has been in the A's organization for nine years, having landed in Oakland in December 2004 with Dan Haren and Kiko Calero as part of the Mark Mulder trade with St. Louis.