Don't expect the A's to bottom-feed for a veteran starting pitcher or sign a free agent such as left-hander Mark Mulder, even though righty Justin Duchscherer is expected to miss at least six weeks once he undergoes arthroscopic elbow surgery.
The A's best move might be to pursue one of the Rays' available right-handers, Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann.
Both Hammel and Niemann are out of options, meaning that they must be made available to every team on waivers before they can be sent to the minor leagues. The Indians, Angels and Dodgers are among the other contenders with current rotation needs.
As for the A's other possibilities, they would rather go with their youngsters than sign retreads, and Mulder is less of a fit than he might appear.
First, the A's need immediate help, and Mulder probably would not be ready until May. Second, the A's cannot afford Mulder if A) he pitches poorly, squandering a low guarantee or B) he pitches well, reaching his incentives.
At least for the moment, the A's would prefer to retain their remaining financial flexibility; they offered $1.7 million to free-agent reliever Joe Beimel, who instead signed with the Nationals for $2 million.
Fox Sports
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