If, as is indicated, Rich Harden comes off the Disabled list after making two rehab starts, and rejoins the team during the Rangers series (may 9th through 11th), the big question becomes; Who gets bumped from the rotation?

Obviously, a healthy Harden is the best pitcher we can have in the rotation. That is a given. But the rotation hasn't been slouching either. All five of the current members of the rotation have been doing well, except for one, whom is the least likely to lose his spot.

1. Joe Blanton - 4.32 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 3.89 K/9
2. Justin Duchscherer - 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.20 K/9
3. Dana Eveland - 2.48 ERA, 1.21 ERA, 6.52 K/9
4. Chad Gaudin - 3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 7.13 K/9
5. Greg Smith - 2.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 7.13 K/9

If you look at that rotation, there is one obvious person to be moved to the bullpen when Rich Harden comes off the DL. Joe Blanton has the worst ERA of the bunch, the worst WHIp and the worst K/9. While his ERA is not bad, it is not Ace stuff, and it would be a good 4th Starter ERA. But, his peripherals are terrible. A 1.37 WHIp and 3.89 K/9 is simply not acceptable. But we need Blanton in the rotation to be trade bait and bring in prospects come July. So what do we do?

So what are our options?

Well, the first option is to send down one of Dana Eveland or Greg Smith. Smith seems more likely, as he has already had an option used and has more remaining, whereas Eveland has only one remaining, and it would be best to keep it.

A second would be to move one of Duchscherer or Gaudin into the Bullpen. Both are perfectly reasonable. Both are coming off major injuries from last year, both have experience in the Bullpen, and it can be argued that it would be best to limit their innings this year if we can, and they will get back into the rotation once Harden gets injured again.

But the Bullpen has been great thus far, with the exception of a shakier than normal Street, whom as someone noticed last game, seemed to have regained movement on his pitches. Would it behoove the A's to deal Street and promote Duchscherer from the rotation to the Closer role?

Or should we simply make Rich Harden the closer, as many have suggested, though Harden has said he does not want to be in the bullpen.

And then there is the option of going with a 6 Man Rotation, which would limit the innings for all pitchers involved, including Harden. This might just be the best strategy, as it would allow Duchscherer, Gaudin and Harden to limit their inning count for the year, would not disrupt the rotation for the period that Harden is healthy and for when Harden inevitably goes down with another injury. It would help protect the arms of Greg Smith and Dana Eveland. And it would allow the A''s to continue to showcase Joe Blanton for a july trade.

And speaking of showcasing, it might very well also be important to keep Chad Gaudin and Justin Duchscherer in the rotation in order to showcase them for a trade, this year or during the off season, when they become more expensive.

Because the potential decision that comes down in two weeks might effect the rest of the year, and the next off season. With the trades the A's have made this off season, and including the prospects already in their system, the A's might have several pitchers knocking on the door to the Major Leagues for 2009.

Pitchers who have the potential to be ready in 2009, opening day or mid season (not September callups, that is) include;

James Simmons, whom the A's have been going slowly with, but is considered already polished and near Major League ready. Simmons, in 17 Innings (4 Starts) has compiled a 1.06 ERA, with 15 Strikeouts, a .235 opposing batting average and a 1.06 WHIP. Simmons should be ready to go in 2009, assuming a mid season call up to Sacramento, which is highly probable. Simmons could become Joe Blanton, or he could become Jason Windsor, who could have become Joe Blanton.

Gio Gonzalez, prize from the Nick Swisher deal, is pitching in Sacramento and was already a candidate to make the team this year. There is no doubt that he will be ready in 2009. In Sacramento, Gio has a line of 2.50 ERA in 18.0 innings, with a 9 K/BB Ratio (18 K's) and a 1.33 WHIP.

Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Hey-Rod?) got called up to Midland after dominating in Stockton, and Rotoworld has speculated that the A's might aggressively promote Rodriguez, making him a potential 2009 Starter or Mid-Season call up. If he can continue to improve his control and develop his secondary pitches, he will be a great starter. If not, he's still Closer material. HeyRod has struggled in Midland thus far, in 2 starts, 8 innings he has an ERA of 6.75, a 2.50 WHIP and 6 K's in 8 innings.

Then there are the usual stalwarts that compete for rotation spots every year. Dan Meyer, Dallas Braden, and perhaps the remains of Jason Windsor.

Then there are the pitching studs who could theoretically make huge jumps in the organization; Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Fuatino De Los Santos, and Craig Italiano.

And then we have the good pitching prospects who show promise but to whom we don't know what to expect; Andrew Bailey, Ryan Webb, Vincent Mazzaro, Jared Lansford and the rest of the Kane County staff.

The team needs offense, and has a surplus of pitching, however fragile. The question is, should we turn that pitching into hitting now or should we do it later? And what do we have to do to make sure that its value continues to grow and not decline.