RealGM

Somewhere out there, there's a team about to turn into Next Year's San Francisco Giants.

And by that, we don't mean a team that's looking to lead the league in fortuitous waiver claims, scrap-heap excavations or most playings of "Don't Stop Believin'."

By that, of course, we can only mean one thing:

Pitching.

5. TORONTO BLUE JAYS

THEIR YOUNG GUNS
Ricky Romero, 25 next year
Brandon Morrow, 26
Brett Cecil, 24
Marc Rzepczynski, 25
Jesse Litsch, 26
Brad Mills, 26
Kyle Drabek, 23

Only the A's got more quality starts this year by pitchers 26 or younger than the Blue Jays (65) did. Morrow threw a 17-strikeout one-hitter and would have led the league in strikeout ratio (10.95 per 9 IP) if the Jays hadn't shut him down on Labor Day. Romero would have gone 14-7, with a 3.25 ERA, if he hadn't allowed 17 runs in five innings in his last two starts before the All-Star break. Cecil won 15 games in a breakout year. And Drabek, the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, should make an impact at some point next season.

So this group's only issue, much like the Reds, is that "there's no clear-cut No. 1," said one scout. Romero is viewed as an excellent No. 2. That's probably Drabek's upside, too. Cecil tops out as a No. 3. And while Morrow "can dominate, I wouldn't put him ahead of a Price or a Cahill," the same scout said.

ODDS OF ACHIEVING GIANT-HOOD
This is a rotation on the rise and a team building around young players. But this is also a staff that's been dragged down by health issues. And -- stop us if you've heard this before -- it's a lot tougher to sneak into October when you play in the AL East than it is in the NL West. Put the Blue Jays in any other division in baseball, and they'd have all the makings of a Next Year's Giants kind of team. Put them in the AL East, and all we can say is: Lots of luck to you.

With Shaun Marcum, Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow almost a shoe-in for jobs in the rotation, who do you think is in contention for the Blue Jays' No. 5 starter?
-- Alex Q., Whitby, Ontario

The competition for the last spot in the starting rotation is wide open and the club likely won't make a decision until the final week of Spring Training. The first four starters are set in stone -- barring any major injuries -- but there is a trio of starters who are in contention for the final spot.

Top prospect Kyle Drabek would appear to be one of the favorites. The 22-year-old made three starts for Toronto at the end of the 2010 season and went 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA during his first stint at the Major League level.

Drabek was rewarded with that opportunity after he finished an impressive season with Double-A New Hampshire, where the Texas native went 14-9 with a 2.94 ERA. The Blue Jays could opt to use Drabek in their rotation next season, but it will depend on how much he improves during the offseason and how effective he is during Spring Training.

Other candidates include right-hander Jesse Litsch and left-hander Marc Rzepczynski.

Litsch was limited to nine starts in 2010 after his season was cut short by a tear in his right hip. He is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training, and with four Major League seasons under his belt, he remains a strong candidate for the final spot.

Rzepczynski had a disappointing 2010 campaign. Entering Spring Training, he was a favorite to win a spot in the starting rotation, but an injury derailed that plan and his season never really got back on track. He finished the year 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA over just 63 2/3 innings of work in the Majors.

Following the season, Rzepczynski was sent to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, where he made six starts and had a 1.16 ERA over 31 innings. If he's able regain some of that old form, the 25-year-old will become a serious contender for the rotation. If not, it's possible he could be sent to the bullpen.

OakleyDokely wrote:Romero
Cecil
Morrow
Drabek
Zep

A good but a very young group. But they still need a true #1 to compete in the AL East imo.