The Athletics are bringing back key veterans Mark Ellis and Coco Crisp while cutting ties with third baseman Eric Chavez, the team’s longest-tenured player. The move with Chavez is not a surprise considering his injuries in recent seasons. He said in September he may be forced to retire after 13 years. The A’s paid Chavez a $3 million buyout instead of exercising a $12.5 million option. Ellis will be paid $6 million in 2011, while Crisp will earn $5.75 million under club options. . . . The Mariners declined to exercise 2011 options for lefthander Erik Bedard, designated hitter Russell Branyan, and third baseman Jose Lopez. Bedard was due $8 million, Branyan $5 million, and Lopez $4.5 million had the options been picked up. Instead, Seattle will now pay a $250,000 buyout on Bedard and $500,000 on Branyan, making each a free agent . . . The Reds exercised 2011 options for righthander Bronson Arroyo and left fielder Jonny Gomes. Arroyo will make $11.5 million next year, and Gomes $1.75 million. The Reds decided to let righthander Aaron Harang and shortstop Orlando Cabrera become free agents rather than exercise their options. The Reds would have had to pay Harang $12.75 million next year. Instead, they bought out the option for $2 million. Cabrera would have gotten $4 million next year. The Reds bought him out for $1 million . . . The Padres declined their $8.5 million option on righthander Chris Young, who was sidelined most of the season with a strained right shoulder, his third significant injury in as many seasons.

The agent for free agent Brandon Webb says the former Cy Young winner loves Arizona and has not closed the door on re-signing with the Diamondbacks. Jonathan Maurer said, however, that several teams already have contacted him about the righthander, who hasn’t pitched since the 2008 season opener while recovering from shoulder surgery . . . The Rangers declined to exercise a $9 million option for designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, but could bring him back next season. Guerrero gets a $1 million buyout under the agreement signed before last season . . . According to the Cubs, third baseman Aramis Ramirez exercised his $14.6 million option. Ramirez was bothered by injuries last season and batted .241 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs in 124 games . . . The Rays declined a $4.25 million option on righthanded reliever Dan Wheeler and a $2.2 million option on infielder Willy Aybar. Both become free agents . . . The Dodgers exercised their half of a $2 million mutual option for next season on speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik. He has until today to decline or exercise his side of the option . . . The Rockies declined their $4.5 million option on Octavio Dotel, opting to give the righthanded reliever a $250,000 buyout.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to downtown San Francisco to toast the Giants’ World Series championship and see the ticker-tape parade. “This is Christmas, New Year’s, and your first-born all rolled into one,’’ said Steve Williams, an usher at AT&T Park as he gathered with Giants employees at the start of the parade. Under a sunny sky, confetti rained on team members and civic dignitaries as they rode down the parade route in convertibles and cable cars on wheels. Street lamps were festooned with orange and black — the team’s colors. Marching bands, floats, and costumed mascots added to the street party. “I’ve never seen anything like this is my life,’’ said center fielder Andres Torres.

Former Tigers and Reds manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care at his Thousand Oaks, Calif., home due to complications from dementia. No further details were released. The 76-year-old was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000 . . . Clyde King, whose career as a player, coach, manager, and front-office man spanned six decades, died in North Carolina. He was 86. Obituary, Page B14.