Sunday February 27th marks the first “real” game of spring training for the Oakland athletics. The pitcher, at least for an inning or so, is likely to be Trevor Cahill. He is also likely to be on the mound against the Mariners on April 1st. Anderson, Braden, and Gonzalez are surely to follow in some order.
But who will follow them? Who will take the fifth starter spot. It is always pleasant to enter a season with the entire starting rotation locked down. Having a fifth starter a manager is confident with is always a plus albeit they don’t cost eighteen million and get left off the playoff roster the previous season, cough, Barry Zito. Don’t get me wrong I love Barry Zito but the fact the A’s can field an entire rotation for less than half one year’s salary makes me feel Beane did the right thing in letting Barry walk. Anyway,that’s a different story.
The A’s entered spring training with no less than five viable candidates to fill the fifth starter spot come opening day. Let’s imagine what might happen down the line.