Cycles are short for the Oakland A’s, general manager Billy Beane said Wednesday after the team’s excruciating 12-inning loss to the Royals in the American League wild-card game. [...] the feeling is that Beane and the other creative minds in Oakland’s front office will find a way to add some pieces to the roster that will enable the A’s to remain relevant. The A’s have no everyday big-league shortstop at hand should Lowrie walk; Russell was traded, top prospect Daniel Robertson played at Class-A Stockton and is considered a possibility for 2016, and Andy Parrino has not shown he can hit at the big-league level. The A’s could look at other free agents, such as Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera, or they could swing a trade for one; he has played little at Arizona, but Cliff Pennington was a favorite of Oakland’s coaching staff. [...] free agents: starter Jon Lester — one of the top names on the market — along with starter Jason Hammel, reliever Luke Gregerson, catcher Geovany Soto, outfielder Jonny Gomes, infielder Alberto Callaspo and designated hitter Adam Dunn, who has said he probably will retire. The A’s players, returning and in limbo, believe that however things shake out, the front office will make sure the team is competitive.