Blue Jays offseason: 6 questions to answer before 2016

Aug 1, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (right) during batting practice before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Kansas City Royals won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays are in offseason mode, like it or not. This will be a quick flip of the switch for the front office, who have been holding meetings regarding free agent and trade possibilities for some time now. Every offseason will have question marks, but this time around in Toronto, they’re of a different variety.

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For two decades, the Blue Jays brass sought out ways to overtake the mighty Yankees and Red Sox in the American League East. Toronto operated from a starting point of ‘zero’ most offseasons, trying to get something going. Anything. Now, their starting point is finally an advantageous position. Instead of building, the Blue Jays must now adjust and tinker their already-strong roster.

Ahead, we’ll look at six questions that must be answered before first pitch is thrown in 2016. Before any of those are addressed, though, Blue Jays ownership and incoming president Mark Shapiro will need to determine who exactly will be handling them. General manager Alex Anthopoulos is likelier to return than not after a season that saw him become a star in Toronto, but until we see the press conference, there will be uncertainty.

The majority of Toronto’s roster is due to return, including nearly every member of their league-best offense. The pitching rotation, however, is another story. Let’s start with that question, and work our way towards the debate I expect to spend much of the offseason on…

Next: Q1: Questions abound in the starting rotation