BY 5THSTARTER - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The Toronto Blue Jays are saying all the right things publicly about the position battle within its starting rotation. Obviously Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow are locked into the first two positions. Brett Cecil has the benefit of the doubt, and some visible results of an intense offseason workout plan. Henderson Alvarez did enough in half a season to earn at least the number four spot.
That leaves Dustin McGowan, Kyle Drabek and Aaron Laffey competing for the fifth starter's job (not mine, see what I did there?).
The situation is veering towards one likely outcome: Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays with the understanding that he would be allowed to work as a starter. Laffey is on a minor league deal, meaning he would not need to clear waivers to be sent to triple-A Las Vegas. This roster flexibility, combined with his preference to be a starting pitcher all but guarantees he will begin the season at Cashman Field.
Drabek is in the unfortunate situation of being young. As such, his contract still has two remaining "options" (the ability to be sent to a minor-league affiliate without being exposed to the waiver process) and unless he shows dramatic, sustainable improvements, he will also find himself pitching in Las Vegas.
McGowan is by default, the Blue Jays fifth starter to begin the season. First of all, the Blue Jays own medical staff have expressed that McGowan is best served from a health perspective to work as a starter; especially a fifth starter.
As a fifth starter, the team can manage McGowan's innings. The club can skip starts and afford extra rest. The club can also prepare to "piggy back" his starts with a reliever that can pitch multiple innings (Carlos Villanueva/Jesse Litsch) and McGowan can be better prepared physically to pitch when needed.
Most of all, McGowan is out of "options". With his pedigree and former top-prospect status, surely teams would make a claim him with the hope that he could attain even a small fraction of that potential. Blue Jays management surely knows this, and would be reluctant to give away an asset for free.
So, there you have it in 2012: Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Henderson Alvarez and Dustin McGowan (who will likely see his first action in the first series at the Rogers Centre versus the Red Sox, and projects to make about three or four total starts in April).
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