Behind Door Number Five Is...

The burning question for the Tampa Bay Rays management coming up in the next week or so is what to do with the rotation.

Scott Kazmir will have had a few games pitched in the minors under his rehab stint and will be ready to give it another try this season. That leaves an odd man out between David Price, Andy Sonnanstine, and Jeff Niemann. 

After another lackluster start Thursday night, Andy Sonnanstine has really hurt his stock this year. After winning 13 games a year ago, his ERA is over six this year and won't get any better as he gave up four runs in five innings against the Phillies. He has pitched better of late, however having over a 4.50 ERA still is not going to cut it in a tight pennant race.

David Price has been inconsistent, at best. In his first three starts he couldn't go more than five innings, but didn't give up many runs. Recently he has focused on hitting the strike zone, but is getting pounded because of it. Price needs more time to figure out how to pitch in the big leagues, refine his changeup, and work on just becoming a big league pitcher. 

Jeff Niemann has been a brilliant surprise for the Rays of late. He pitched a complete game one-hitter earlier this year, and has won eight of his last nine starts for the Rays. The one loss was against Cleveland in a rain-shortened three inning outing where he only gave up one run. In this nine start span he has lowered his ERA from 5.68 to 4.23, with his only real bad starting being his first one. 

There are two options for the Rays. I cannot think of a valid reason to demote Niemann to the minors or bullpen. He has pitched too well in too many big games for the Rays this season. This leaves us with Price or Sonnanstine. 

Price was so good in the Rays bullpen last year, and it would probably make the most sense to put him there because he has two excellent pitches and needs to work on the changeup and curveball more. However, I think that the bullpen hinders his development and would not be good for him in the long run. 

Sonnanstine would be even a harder fit in the bullpen because he throws so many balls that he would not be good in tight situations. He would be someone who just works long relief and that's it, unlike Price who could come in at any situation. 

What I would do is put Sonnanstine in the long relief and let Price continue his development. It makes the most logical sense and maximizes the arms you have right now. 

However, what I think is going to happen is that the Rays will stick with Sonnanstine, based on a flawed 13-win season last year and send Niemann down to the minors. I hope this is not the case because with how he has pitched of late he would be really useful in the backside of the season. 

A decision won't be made though for sure until Kazmir looks like he is back to his All-Star form. Lucky for the Rays, having starting pitching depth usually is never a bad thing.