Posted By Jeff Fletcher on January 8, 2009 10:12 am

Apparently I assumed too much when I put Jason Giambi in the A’s lineup at first base. According to manager Bob Geren, he’s still planning on Daric Barton playing first and Giambi at DH. That would push Jack Cust to right field.

So what the A’s have now is essentially a rotation of (at least) four guys for three spots. That’s familiar territory for them.

Giambi, Barton, Cust and the right fielder du jour (presumably Travis Buck at this point) will be wedged in at first, right and DH. Those guys are all lefties, so I can envision a situation against some tough left-handed pitchers in which Aaron Cunningham or Rajai Davis might sneak in to the outfield.

The good thing about all this is now Barton and Buck really have to fight for their at-bats. Both of those guys have the potential to be pretty good ballplayers, but so far we haven’t seen it over an extended period from either.