A’s leave Arizona with good mindset, camaraderie

Ariz - After two last-place seasons in which the A’s felt there were some divisive clubhouse elements, the team was careful to bring in well-regarded players with leadership qualities. New third baseman Trevor Plouffe, already cited as a team leader, said, I thought we gelled together as a team. ... Another new player, right fielder Matt Joyce, also is enthusiastic about the A’s state of mind going into the season. This group of guys has just been phenomenal, the kind of character and attitude we have - you couldn’t ask for anything better. [...] I’ve played on teams that had a tremendous amount of talent and were predicted to win the World Series and had bad attitudes and we didn’t even make the playoffs. Fifth outfielder Jake Smolinski, however, needed shoulder surgery that probably will end his season. Gray is traveling with the team to the Bay Area rather than staying in Arizona for extended spring training. [...] baseman Joey Wendle is staying for extending spring training and said he is getting a cortisone shot for his sore right shoulder this week.