Blue Jays Early Rotation Order

Jun 06, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (23) reacts after getting the last Chicago batter out in the ninth inning at US Cellular Field. The Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Chicago White Sox 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY SportsAt the Toronto Blue Jays State of the Franchise event John Gibbons was asked how he would set up the starting rotation at the start of the season if he had to decide now. He said right now he sees it being R.A. Dickey, Brandon Morrow, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and Ricky Romero.

The rotation order is certainly not set in stone as it can change from month to month and from week to week. If that order is the one the Blue Jays decide to start the season with it gives you a sense of what they hope it will accomplish.

R.A. Dickey will mess up hitters timing with his knuckleball. A day after facing Dickey, Brandon Morrow’s fastball will look like its 118 mph to a hitter. Mark Buehrle will be counted on to eat up innings in the middle of the rotation whether the bullpen needs some rest or not. Usually not a lot is asked of a fourth starter so by that logic if Josh Johnson is even close to being the Josh Johnson of 2012 or better he’s more than doing his job. Ricky Romero was awful last season. The Jays are banking on it being just one down year. If Ricky can have a repeat of any of his seasons other than 2012 he’ll be a stud as far as fifth starters go. Then Dickey will be counted on to eat innings (a bit of an understatement) after Ricky. The circle then just continues the same way.

It’s fun to think of a possible rotation order for the Jays to start the season with, even though it’s bound to change as the season progresses. If the Blue Jays were to really start the season on fire and kept winning then you don’t change it. Of course that’s a best case scenario.