Six Man Rotation For The Oakland A's? I Don't Think So

Ray Fosse, the color commentator for the Oakland A's, has talked about once Justin Duchscherer returns from the disabled list, the A's could go to a six-man starting rotation. This could give the young starting A's pitching staff a few extra days of rest for the rest of the season.

That would be good if all five starters were pitching well. The problem is, they are not and it is time to send one of them down to rebuild their confidence.

When taking a look at who should be sent down, the answer is simple. Vin Mazzaro needs to return to Sacramento and build his confidence up because he's been absolutely terrible since July started.

With the start of August, there was hope that Mazzaro could turn it around. But after his dreadful start of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays, that hope is all but gone.

Before Mazzaro could get an out, he had already given up three hits and five runs along with a two-run home run to Aaron Hill and a three-run double to Alex Rios. On top of the three hits, he walked three batters as well.

What's even more disappointing is the fact that Mazzaro had gotten ahead in the count to both Hill and Rios.

Furthermore, though, his control has been the problem. When he's not walking hitters, he's giving up way too many hits. He has given up five hits or more in 10 of his 11 starts. And as of the second inning, it is now 11 of his 12 starts that he has given up more than five hits or more.

Also, what's not good for Mazzaro's confidence is the total ineptitude of Bob Geren leaving him in games where he just doesn't have his stuff. For example, in today's game, he already gave up five runs and had given up three hits, and three walks.

There really wasn't much that Mazzaro was doing to warrant being out there for the second inning. The A's made a mistake in calling Mazzaro up so soon. He's obviously not ready to be in the majors and it has shown almost every outing, except for his first couple of starts.

Once teams got to be more patient against him and look for his pitches, he's been hit hard ever since. It's time for the A's to send Mazzaro down to Triple A; his ERA now stands at 5.86 and he's really not doing anything in the majors to show that he's got the stuff yet to stick.

In fact, in his last five starts, Mazzaro has gone six innings just once. In that lone start, which was against Boston, he got a no decision, but he gave up nine hits and six runs.

The rest of those starts have been 4.1 innings, 3 innings, and 5 innings. It just depends on how long Geren will allow Mazzaro to go before taking him out against the Blue Jays. I don't see Mazzaro going very far in today's game, which begs the question what do the A's do if they send down Mazzaro?   

Duchscherer is coming along with his rehab, but had to miss his last outing due to a non-baseball event. The good news is that it wasn't because of his injury that has kept him out all year so far.

If Duchscherer isn't ready, then the A's could use Shawn Chacon, who has major league experience but hasn't pitched very well in Sacramento with a high ERA.

Dana Eveland is another option, but I think he's going to spend the rest of the year in Sacramento.

The other option would be someone who's in long relief for the A's in Edgar Gonzalez. Gonzalez might be the best option for the A's if Duchscherer cannot be called up soon.

Although, Gonzalez talent wise doesn't have the stuff that Mazzaro has. I believe Gonzalez is a little bit more ready for the major leagues then Mazzaro is at this point.

If Gonzalez takes Mazzaro's spot in the rotation, Mazzaro can be sent down to Sacramento and the A's can bring up Brad Kilby. This would definitely benefit Craig Breslow, because the A's would have another left hander in the bullpen.

Again, it would also get Mazzaro to a place where he can be more comfortable in Sacramento. He can build up his confidence for a few starts and then be brought up when the rosters expand.

Even if Mazzaro is not sent down when Duchscherer comes back to the A's, they could benefit by limiting Mazzaro's starts for the rest of the year. Either way, the A's need to do something to help build back the confidence of Mazzaro.