Inbox: Who will A’s promote from Minors?

Who’s next in line in the Minors to join the A’s this year? — Christine S., San Jose, Calif.

Jharel Cotton is the easy choice, and he’s probably the correct one. Cotton flirted with a perfect game in his second start for Triple-A Nashville last week, quickly impressing his newest employers. And with the A’s trying to get by with a makeshift rotation at the moment, following a slew of injuries and the trade of Rich Hill (in the same deal as Cotton), it would make sense for them to turn to Cotton the next time they’re in need of a starting arm.

How do you see the rotation shaping up next season? Will Sonny Gray be a part of it, or should we be prepared to see him dealt soon? — Troy D., Las Vegas

There’s no doubt Gray will still have a ton of value this offseason, especially considering how weak the starting-pitching market will be, so this very well could be the offseason that sees him depart Oakland. The A’s have plenty of young pitching in tow, not even including likely holdovers such as Kendall Graveman, Jesse Hahn and rehabbing Tommy John patient Chris Bassitt. This group — combined with young arms Daniel Mengden, Dillon Overton and …

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