1. Who will fill out the Blue Jays' rotation?
Toronto has two vacancies to fill at the back end of its starting staff and at least eight arms in the running for the available jobs. Casey Janssen and Scott Richmond appear to be the front-runners, but they'll have plenty of pitchers hoping to pass them on the depth chart. The only players being touted as locks for rotation spots are ace Roy Halladay and youngsters Jesse Litsch and David Purcey. Dustin McGowan, who underwent surgery on his right shoulder in July, is out of the picture until at least May.

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2. Can the offense turn it around this season?
Toronto's lineup lacked thump last year, and the club finished with one of its worst offensive showings of the past decade. The Jays only had one player (Vernon Wells) with at least 20 home runs and none with 80 RBIs. The club still posted 86 wins in 2008, largely due to owning the game's best pitching staff. Toronto will struggle to be as effective on the mound this year, putting more pressure on the hitters. The Jays are hoping the lineup's improved performance after manager Cito Gaston came on board in June can carry over.

3. Will Toronto's young players step up in a big way?
Behind Halladay, the Blue Jays' rotation figures to be a young and relatively-inexperienced group. On offense, Toronto is pinning some of its hopes on young outfielders Travis Snider and Adam Lind. Any success the Jays have this season will likely depend on how well these players perform. Toronto is willing to accept that this season might serve as a bridge to 2010, but the team still feels it will have a competitive group. That belief will be put to the test with these young players taking the field.

2008 record
86-76, Fourth place in the American League East

Projected batting order
1. SS Marco Scutaro:
  .267 BA, .341 OBP, .356 SLG, 7 HR, 60 RBI in 2008
2. 2B Aaron Hill:
  .263 BA, .324 OBP, .361 SLG, 2 HR, 20 RBI in 2008
3. RF Alex Rios:
  .291 BA, .337 OBP, .461 SLG, 15 HR, 79 RBI in 2008
4. CF Vernon Wells:
  .300 BA, .343 OBP, .496 SLG, 20 HR, 78 RBI in 2008
5. DH Adam Lind:
  .282 BA, .316 OBP, .439 SLG, 9 HR, 40 RBI in 2008
6. 3B Scott Rolen:
  .262 BA, .349 OBP, .431 SLG, 11 HR, 50 RBI in 2008
7. 1B Lyle Overbay:
  .270 BA, .358 OBP, .419 SLG, 15 HR, 69 RBI in 2008
8. C Rod Barajas:
  .249 BA, .294 OBP, .410 SLG, 11 HR, 49 RBI in 2008
9. LF Travis Snider:
  .301 BA, .338 OBP, .466 SLG, 2 HR, 13 RBI in 2008

Projected rotation
1. Roy Halladay, 20-11, 2.78 ERA in 2008
2. Jesse Litsch, 13-9, 3.58 ERA in 2008
3. David Purcey, 3-6, 5.54 ERA in 2008
4. Casey Janssen, 2.35 ERA, 24 holds in 2007
5. Scott Richmond, 1-3, 4.00 ERA in 2008

Projected bullpen
Closer: B.J. Ryan, 32/36 saves, 2.95 ERA in 2008
RH setup man: Brandon League, 2.18 ERA in 2008
LH setup man: Scott Downs, 1.78 ERA in 2008

The new guys
Michael Barrett: The Blue Jays signed Barrett to a Minor League deal with the hope that he can compete for the backup job behind the plate. The 32-year-old catcher is returning from an injury-riddled season with the Padres, but he insists he's healthy and ready to go. If that's the case, Toronto could have a solid No. 2 option to starting catcher Rod Barajas.

T.J. Beam: The Jays scoured the waiver wire this offseason in their search for depth and were able to claim Beam from the Pirates. The right-handed reliever appeared in 32 games last season for Pittsburgh and adds another arm to the mix for a bullpen spot. Beam won't be a leading candidate for a relief job, but he gives Toronto some insurance on the mound.

Brian Burres: Toronto also claimed the left-handed Burres off waivers from the Orioles. Burres has experience as a starter and as a reliever and will likely be thrown into the competition for a spot on the staff. With Baltimore last season, Burres posted a 7-9 record with a 5.52 ERA in 22 outings as a starter.

Matt Bush: The Blue Jays acquired Bush from the San Diego Padres this week in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, adding another arm to Toronto's Minor League depth chart. Bush, 23, was the first overall pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, but hasn't advance above Class A in his four professional seasons. Bush was drafted as a shortstop, but converted to pitching during the 2007 season.

Raul Chavez: Like Barrett, Chavez was brought into the fold on a Minor League contract this offseason. Chavez, 35, is a solid catch-and-throw catcher, giving Toronto a good defensive option behind the plate, if the club prefers that for the backup role. In 42 games with Pittsburgh last season, Chavez threw out 48 percent of would-be base stealers.

Matt Clement: Shortly after the Winter Meetings, Toronto inked Clement to a Minor League contract, reuniting him with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg. Clement, 34, is returning from a major operation on his right shoulder and hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2006. But, if Clement is healthy -- and he says he is -- the Jays could have a reliable veteran for one of their rotation openings.

Brandon Fahey: The Blue Jays signed Fahey to a Minor League contract in January and invited him to attend Spring Training with the big league club. The former Orioles infielder isn't a top candidate for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he does provide depth. Lahey, 28, hit .226 with nine doubles, two triples and 12 RBIs in 58 games last season with the O's.

Jason Lane: Lane was also added with a Minor League contract in January, providing more depth in the outfield. Lane, 32, split last season between Triple-A Scranton (Yankees) and Triple-A Pawtucket (Red Sox), hitting .233 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs across 110 games. In six big league seasons, including tours with the Astros and Padres, Lane has hit .241 over 497 games.

Adam Loewen: The Jays inked Loewen to a two-year Minor League contract after he was released by Baltimore in October. Loewen, 24, is attempting to make it to the Majors as a position player after being one of the Orioles' top pitching prospects. A left elbow injury prompted the switch, and the Canadian first baseman/outfielder will likely need at least 1,000 professional at-bats before being ready for the big leagues.

Mike Maroth: Maroth, who was signed to a Minor League contract in December, is attempting a comeback from a left shoulder operation that ended his season prematurely a year ago. Maroth, 31, hasn't pitched in the Majors since '07, but is hoping to compete for a spot in Toronto's rotation. In six big league seasons, Maroth has gone 50-67 with a 5.05 ERA over 161 games, including 150 starts.

Kevin Millar: Strapped for cash, but searching for offensive help, the Blue Jays added Millar with a Minor League deal. Millar will compete for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster, providing the club with a decent bat to potentially help out at first base and at designated hitter. Last season with Baltimore, the 37-year-old Millar hit .234 with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs in 145 games.

Randy Ruiz: Toronto added Ruiz on a Minor League deal and invited him to Spring Training in December, but he's a long shot to head north with the big league club come April. Ruiz, 31, made his Major League debut in '08 with the Twins, hitting .274 over 22 games. He spent most of last season with Triple-A Rochester, where he hit .320 with 17 homers and 68 RBIs in 111 games.

Angel Sanchez: The Jays claimed Sanchez off waivers from the Kansas City Royals in November and later outrighted the shortstop to Triple-A Las Vegas. Sanchez, who is from Puerto Rico, hasn't appeared in a big league game since 2006 and he missed all of '07 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on his right arm.

Ken Takahashi: Toronto turned its attention overseas this offseason in order to find another inexpensive option for its pitching staff. The Jays signed Takahashi to a Minor League contract with the hope that the left-hander can vie for a spot in the rotation or bullpen. Takahashi, who will turn 40 in April, went 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 115 2/3 innings with the Hiroshima Carp last season.

Prospects to watch
J.P. Arencibia: Between tours with Class A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire last season, Arencibia hit .298 with 27 homers and 105 RBIs. Considered the catcher of the future for the Jays, the 23-year-old Arencibia -- the 21st overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft -- will likely open the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Brett Cecil: Cecil -- selected by the Jays with the 38th overall pick in the 2007 Draft -- is the top candidate for a rotation job among the prospects being considered. The 22-year-old left-hander, who features a plus slider, has gone 9-5 with a 2.41 ERA across four Minor League levels in his two professional seasons. Cecil went 8-5 with a 2.88 ERA between stints with Dunedin, New Hampshire and Triple-A Syracuse in '08.

Brian Jeroloman: The Jays will strongly consider Barrett and Chavez for their backup catching role, but the club isn't ruling out Jeroloman. The 23-year-old, who was a sixth-round selection in the 2006 Draft, is considered the top defensive catcher in Toronto's farm system. Last season he hit .252 with six homers, 36 RBIs and a .369 on-base percentage between Double-A and Triple-A.

Brad Mills: Like Cecil, Mills has enjoyed a quick climb through the Minor Leagues. The 24-year-old left-hander, who features a deceptive delivery, was selected by Toronto in the fourth round of the 2007 Draft. In two seasons within the Jays' system, Mills has gone 15-5 with a 1.96 ERA across four levels. Last year, he went 13-5 with a 1.95 ERA with stops at Class A Lansing, Dunedin and New Hampshire.

Ricky Romero: Romero, 24, has had a gradual climb up the organizational ladder since being taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 Draft. Over the past four seasons, the lefty has posted a 12-14 record with a 4.34 ERA -- finally reaching Triple-A in '08. Between stints with New Hampshire and Syracuse last year, Romero went 8-8 with a 4.55 ERA over 164 1/3 innings.

On the rebound
Hill: The Blue Jays inked Hill to a four-year extension last April and then lost him for the season in May, after the second baseman suffered a concussion in an on-field collision with former Jays shortstop David Eckstein. Hill has said that he's recovered from the scary injury, and his return could give the club a big lift on offense and in the field.

Overbay: Ever since suffering a broken right hand midway through the 2007 season, Overbay's power production has declined. He struggled with soreness in his hand last year and his statistics fell short of expectations. The Blue Jays are hoping that another offseason of rest and therapy has done some good and that Overbay can perform as he did three years ago.

Rolen: The Jays traded for Rolen last offseason, and he labored through two trips to the disabled list in '08. On defense, Rolen was on top of his game, but his production at the plate was hindered by a persistent left shoulder issue. Late in the year, Rolen adjusted his swing and improved drastically over the final month. The Jays are hoping the late showing is a sign that better things are in store for the third baseman in '09.

Wells: Wells was arguably Toronto's top offensive performer in 2008, but he was limited to just 108 games due to a pair of freak injuries. Since signing a seven-year extension worth $126 million three offseasons ago, Wells has endured two down campaigns. The Jays are hoping Wells can stay off the DL this year and that playing in the World Baseball Classic can help the center fielder get off to a good start.

Long gone
A.J. Burnett: Following the World Series, Burnett opted out of his contract with the Blue Jays and tested the free-agent market. What he found was a five-year, $82.5 million offer from the Yankees that was too good to pass up.

Kevin Mench: The Jays acquired Mench in a trade with the Rangers in May. and the outfielder went on to appear in 51 games last season for Toronto. Mench hit .243 with 11 doubles and 10 RBIs in a limited role for the club. This offseason, the Jays opted against re-signing Mench, who will play in Japan this season.

John Parrish: Parrish split last season between Toronto and Syracuse, providing depth for the Jays' rotation and bullpen. The 31-year-old left-hander went 10-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 17 games at Triple-A and also posted a 1-1 record with a 4.04 ERA in 13 games for the Jays. Parrish signed a Minor League contract with the Orioles over the offseason.

Brad Wilkerson: The Jays signed Wilkerson last May after he was released by the Seattle Mariners. In 85 games for Toronto, the veteran outfielder hit .216 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in a limited role. This past offseason, the Jays decided not to bring back Wilkerson, and he signed a Minor League deal with the Red Sox.

Gregg Zaun: After spending five seasons with the Blue Jays, Zaun tested free agency and signed a one-year contract with the Orioles. Zaun lost his starting role to Barajas last season and was frustrated by his diminished role with the club. In 86 games with Toronto last season, the 37-year-old Zaun hit .237 with six homers, 30 RBIs and a .340 on-base percentage.