this movie suggests that the As are necessarily looking to trade a pitcher.  It is still a true fact that even with Duke added to the mix, we don't have a suplus in starting pitching to trade from.  The intention I think some of us could read into it is that the moving of Duke up to the rotation means Blanton will be traded.  He still is not locked up long term (and I haven't read anything recently about talks) and at the most optimistic of views, I don't think you would loose that much versus the addition of Duke and a young arm.  The more logical swap would be to move Gaudin and not Blanton but I am not sure the demand is there.

I also think the OP over there is way off on saying (although he's been leading this blind path for almost two years now) this move makes Danny expendable.  I think he himself realized it later after thinking out loud because as much as I like Duke, he's not a replacement for a staff leader.  Danny is  logically untouchable this offseason anyways with that golden contract of his so I won't waste too much ink on that thought.  

Personally, I think adding Duke to the rotation just means another option at the #5 spot.

I think you'll still see a rotation of Haren, Harden, Blanton, Gaudin, and Duke.  Although, as I said, if this rumor is infact true it does increase the likelihood of Blanton being moved (although I'd choose Gaudin instead).

Moving Duke to the rotation could be a good move. The marginal difference between the A's setup men is not that great. But the difference between Duke and the poorly performing #5 starters this year is likely to be significant. What was the A's record in games started by Braden and Co.? It couldn't have been very good, considering the A's 5th starter often seemed to be gone before the end of the 5th inning.

 Hey, I'll take Duke and 150+ innings than maybe 50-70 out of the pen any day. As long as he's pitching to his capacity, and stays healthy; the bullpen should be capable of picking up his old duties. Last year can't be judged fairly b/c of the inordinate amount of injuries. There's no reason why this team can't compete if everyone stays on their off season workout schedules. Good move Billy!

....I really think that Duke should be a starter. The only reason that he went to the pen in the first place is that the A's still had the Big Three when he came up and the rotation was overflowing and Duke was just too good to not add somewhere in the pitching staff. Now that the rotation is looking thin, I say bring him on as a starter and trade for another reliever.

does he still have the stamina? Throwing 100 pitches in a game is no joke, especially when you haven't done it in years.

I'm not saying this because I disagree with the idea as such (I've come to think that one route for finding undervalued pitchers lies in converting bullpen guys to starters), but it's something to keep in mind.

  While there have been concerns about his back, it was his hip that sidelined him this year. Short of a total hip replacement this injury will be the one that will shorten his career. The fact that he allowed his back to rest (Hopefully get strengthened) should pose less of a problem for next year. Duke's got a great repetoire of pitches. His greatest asset is his mind. He sets up hitters well and knows his limitations. He has #3 stuff for the rotation. We can also be sure the A's won't burn out his arm if he's in the rotation. The days of Art Fowler are long, long gone.

SHIRT?

I am one of many (I bet) who has been waiting for a Duchscherer shirt for years.  He makes the All-Star team, but we get no shirt.  He is the nicest guy ever--signs and signs and signs at Fanfest.  Does lots of charity stuff especially for MS.  So here's hoping we get a shirt whether he starts or not.

I happen to think he was one of the most important missing players from 2007.  How many times did I wish to see him coming out of the bullpen in the 7th or 8th inning.  Can't wait for his return.