With the Blue Jays' starting rotation in a funk, will we see Jordan Romano, Ryan Borucki, T.J. Zeuch, and others get the call to help out? Will Sam Gaviglio be a permanent piece?
-- @BrookeNaismith_
Of the three prospects you mentioned, Borucki has the best chance of being called up, but I don't think it will happen until the second half of the season. For now, the Blue Jays are attempting to piece together the back end of their rotation and provide some of their top prospects with a little bit more time in the Minor Leagues.
The 27-year-old Gaviglio will hang onto a starting job for as long as his performance justifies it. Jaime Garcia might be able to return soon; there is still no timetable for Marcus Stroman. Gaviglio has the inside track for that spot, but if Stroman's absence becomes long term, then eventually the club might take a look at Borucki. The other two are likely looking at a September callup, at the earliest.
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Will a poor May and dropping out of contention make the cries for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. louder but the probability his callup in 2018 lower?
-- @birdingvicar
The public outcry is only getting louder by the day. But internally, I think there will be less pressure on the Blue Jays to promote Guerrero if they are not contending. If the front office determined that Guerrero would be the difference between making or missing the postseason, then it's a move they pretty much have to make, regardless of long-term development or service time.
The reality of the current situation is that Guerrero can't solve a lot of the Blue Jays' issues. Toronto is without its closer and one of its top starting pitchers for an indefinite period of time, and the rotation has been among the worst in the Majors. If J.A. Happ, Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and others can turn things around and put the Blue Jays in the conversation for an American League Wild Card spot, then the pressure to promote Guerrero will increase. If they don't, a strong argument can be made for remaining patient, focusing on his defense and off-the-field training while he's still impressionable, and controlling the service time for another year.
When are the Blue Jays going to realize Joe Biagini as a starter won't happen?
-- @D_Caruso
That time might be coming soon. The Blue Jays seem optimistic that Garcia will return from the disabled list by the end of the month, which leaves Stroman's spot as the only one that needs to be filled. Biagini currently is behind Gaviglio on the depth chart, so in all likelihood he has -- at most -- one start remaining.
In all fairness, Biagini deserved a better fate in his last outing. There were arguably three misplays by Josh Donaldson, and a better effort by the defense could have resulted in five scoreless innings. But instead, Biagini allowed four runs over four-plus frames. Even so, Biagini has a career 3.44 ERA as a reliever vs. 6.08 as a starter, so it's probably time to alter course. With Gaviglio, William McGuire and Borucki as starting options, there's enough depth to justify it.
Is there a situation sooner rather than later that Russell Martin loses the starting catching position?
-- Ryan D., Toronto
Not one that I see. Martin is going to be the Blue Jays' starting catcher this season no matter what. There is a possibility that Luke Maile will get more playing time and this could turn into a timeshare, but Martin is not going to become a backup.
That stance could change next season, when Martin enters the final year of his contract. Prospect Dan Jansen is knocking on the door, hitting .306/.415/.459 at Buffalo, including 10 extra-base hits and 16 RBIs in 98 at-bats. If Martin gets hurt, Jansen becomes a big league option. But otherwise his real opportunity will come next spring. That's when easing Jansen in alongside Martin could have some real benefits.