David Price at AAA-Durham Again?

Oh decisions, decisions. Life is hard when you are on top. It seems that every decision you make will either develop one player, or lose another. It seems the vultures could be hovering around the Rays this spring - all in hopes to get one of their pitchers from them - and in all likely kicking themselves that they missed out on the opportunity for Grant Balfour last year; so you can guarantee they'll be hovering this go 'round.

It is like this - Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann are out of options - meaning, that if they are not on the Rays 25-man roster, then either, or both, could potentially be claimed by other teams. Balfour was the odd man out last season, but luckily for the Rays, no one claimed him, and Balfour became vital to their impropable playoff run; so this year, you can bet it will be different come the end of spring training.

Of course, the Rays do have some options of their own around this fiasco - simply by starting David Price's season at triple-A Durham, they can use either Hammel or Niemann in the starting rotation, and likely use the other one in the long relief role, thus, ensuring themselves the extra arms throughout the remainder of this season. After a month, they can either shop around Hammel or Niemann in an attempt to gain the added roster space needed to bring Price up to a position he likely will never relinquish, a la Evan Longoria, or simple move one of them to the minors, thus paving the way for Price.

Of course, another option could be to begin Troy Percival on the DL - thus providing the extra space on the 25-man roster, and this would make sense, if there weren't so many pitchers on the Rays staff. Even with Percival on the DL, it will be hard to find enough roster space to spare (***update: Feb. 10th- especially with the newest addition of Shouse***), plus, the fact that Hammel and Niemann are suited for the starting role, that still leaves Price as the odd man out in the rotation. Oh the decisions to be made.

Yes, the decisions from the top are always tough, but wouldn't you rather have this dilemma rather than wonder who is going to fill the void of 5th starter? I'd rather have too many than none at all. It's a good problem to have, but don't be surprised to see David Price begin the season at Durham - it just makes sense for the team as a whole.

*** Note: Willy Aybar, Grant Balfour, Jason Bartlett, and Gabe Gross are all currently "out of options" as well - but Bartlett, Balfour and Aybar should all make the team easily. Gabe Gross, with the additions of Joyce and Kapler and already versatile Perez, could find himself in the minors to start the season, and thus, the potential for another team to claim him. However, I think the prime issue lies in the pitching decision. ***