Without a starter or two added to the mix this offseason, the Blue Jays' rotation will look bleak. Behind ace Roy Halladay and 23-year-old Jesse Litsch, the staff is currently made up of a cast of young and inexperienced arms.

The problem with Toronto's starting five right now is the absence of right-handers Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum. McGowan underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in July and could be out until at least May. Marcum, who had a right elbow operation at the end of the year, is out until 2010.

That immediately created two holes in the rotation, and a third presented itself when A.J. Burnett -- the Jays' No. 2 starter -- opted out of his contract and became a free agent. Needless to say, pitching is a priority this offseason for Toronto, which is trying to re-sign Burnett, though that prospect seems unrealistic.

It's more likely that the Jays won't be able to counter the kind of offer Burnett will receive on the open market. In that scenario, Toronto will likely turn its attention to a less-expensive free-agent option, like Brad Penny, while also seeing if there's any chance of convincing pitchers like Ryan Dempster or Derek Lowe to head north of the border.

If the Jays strike out in their search for another starter or two, there are a handful of pitchers who will be in the mix for rotation slots this coming Spring Training. Some of the candidates would include David Purcey, Casey Janssen, Scott Richmond, Brett Cecil, Brad Mills, Ricky Romero and Davis Romero.

There's also the chance that the Blue Jays might consider shifting left-hander Scott Downs out of the bullpen and into a starting role. Downs has experience as a starter and Toronto's bullpen is deep enough to make such a transition possible. That would leave two spots to fill in the rotation.

Why are there so many rumors about Manny Ramirez coming to Toronto if the Jays don't have an excess of money to spend and still have to replace Burnett?
-- Conrad J., Toronto

The rumors are based on the fact that Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi noted earlier this offseason that the team had interest in Ramirez. Toronto is in the market for a power bat and, obviously, Ramirez fits that need. Ricciardi made sure to say that it was a "long shot" and also added that Ramirez wasn't the club's top priority.

The reality is, no matter how many times the Jays are mentioned in connection with Ramirez, it's highly unlikely that he'd end up in a Toronto uniform. Ramirez is going to command a huge contract that will most certainly be out of the Jays' price range. Toronto does have limited resources and pitching is an immediate need as well.

With all the talk about the Jays needing a big bat to fill the middle of their order, has there been any discussion regarding Mark Teixeira. I think that he would be a great fit in Toronto.
-- Steve A., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

I'm sure the Blue Jays would love to have Teixeira's bat in their order and his glove in the field. Like Ramirez, though, Teixeira is going to command a monster contract, especially since he's considered the top free agent on the market. The Blue Jays aren't in a position to spend what it'd take to add Teixeira.

Have a question about the Blue Jays? E-mail your query to MLB.com Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

I keep hearing a lot about the budgets of Toronto's divisional rivals. I was wondering what the Jays' payroll was like in their World Series seasons of 1992 and '93 in comparison to the division at the time. Were the Jays close to the top or were they low like the Rays were this year?
-- Trevor K., Beiseker, Alberta

In 1992, the Blue Jays' $43 million payroll ranked third overall in the Majors and was the highest payroll in the American League. A year later, Toronto's $45 million budget was the top payroll in all of baseball. In 2008, the Jays' $98 million payroll ranked third in the AL East, seventh in the league and 13th overall in the Majors.

Is it a possibility for the Jays to trade for Padres ace Jake Peavy?
-- Drew B., Kitchener, Ontario

Peavy has a strong preference for the National League and would have to waive his no-trade clause in order to approve a deal that would send him to the AL. The Yankees and Angels have been identified as potential trading partners outside of the NL. The Jays aren't part of the discussion.

I was disappointed to see Matt Stairs traded by Toronto. However, I'm glad he won a World Series ring with Philadelphia. I was just wondering if that was his first World Series ring? I'm glad to see he got one before he retires.
-- Travis W., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

That was indeed the first World Series victory for the 40-year-old Stairs, who has played for 11 different teams over 16 seasons in the Majors. Stairs did receive a ring from the Tigers in 2006, when Detroit won the AL pennant. Stairs spent most of September with the Tigers that season, but didn't play for them in the postseason.

No question today. Just a "Well done" to Halladay for his runner-up position in the balloting for the AL Cy Young Award. He's like a fine wine: the older he gets, the better and better he becomes! Please stay a Blue Jay for life, Doc.
-- Joe C., M'scala, Malta, Europe