What exactly is keeping Bo Bichette out of the Opening Day roster discussion?
-- @mathewrourke, Milton, ON

The organization's philosophy on how to develop prospects.

Toronto has become known for its patient approach, and there's no reason to expect that to change any time soon. Bichette arrived in Spring Training with the mentality that he was competing for a job, and so far he has been one of the top performers in camp, but the harsh reality is that he does not have a chance to make the 25-man roster out of camp no matter what he does.

Bichette has yet to play a game at Triple-A Buffalo. The way this organization operates, he will not be considered for the big league roster until he completes a lengthy stint with Buffalo. Will he come up later in the year? It's possible, but unless something changes, I'd expect a similar approach to the one the Blue Jays took with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a year ago, which means Bichette won't become an option until early next season.

The Blue Jays have struggled to find a long reliever for a couple of years. Who do you reckon might fill the role?
-- Chris S., @sutton_1BM, London, ON

Whether or not this team carries a long reliever ultimately depends on how many pitchers end up in the bullpen. Ken Giles, Ryan Tepera, Bud Norris, John Axford and Tim Mayza all seemingly have jobs locked up. For the moment, we'll eliminate the rehabbing David Phelps from the equation, and that would leave either two or three jobs up for grabs on the Opening Day roster.

Ideally Rule 5 pick Elvis Luciano would have staked a claim to the job, but he has struggled this spring, and the Blue Jays might be hard-pressed to keep him on the roster. Joe Biagini, who has tossed four scoreless innings this spring, seems like the ideal candidate, and the Blue Jays have enough middle relievers that they can afford to stretch him out. Sam Gaviglio is another option, and to a lesser extent so, too, is Thomas Pannone. It'll get tougher once Phelps returns, but for now the Blue Jays should be able to carry a long reliever.

I'm extremely excited to see an infusion of youth in the Jays' lineup this season, is it fair to say that next season's infield could be without a veteran presence?
-- @Bergy37, Chris B, Lethbridge, AB

There will probably be a veteran presence of some sort, but it could come in the form of a backup player. It's quite possible that the Blue Jays will delay the start of their younger prospects early next year, but by May the youth movement should be in full effect.

Guerrero will be at third, Bichette should be at short, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. or Cavan Biggio could be at second, and with Justin Smoak entering the final year of his deal this season, there's a good chance he won't return to first in 2020. Freddy Galvis, or a similar type of player, should still be expected to make this team, but it likely would be as a temporary starter before transitioning into a utility player.

Do you believe Charlie Montoyo has autonomy on who he puts into the lineup? How will he do as manager, in your opinion, with this young Blue Jays team?
-- @eeojj, Wil C.

Yes, I believe Montoyo has autonomy on the everyday lineup, but the configuration of the 25-man roster is up to GM Ross Atkins and the rest of his staff. Montoyo has input on who makes the team, but ultimately the final decision rests with Atkins. So while Montoyo writes out the lineup everyday -- and no, I don't believe he consults with the GM before doing it -- he does have limited players at his disposal.

How will Montoyo do as manager? It's impossible to say. In 2011, John Farrell arrived with plenty of fresh ideas. He wanted the Blue Jays to run wild on the basepaths, he wanted elements of small ball and at one point he led the Blue Jays to the best record in the Grapefruit League. It sounded great, but the regular season was a much different story and the Farrell hiring never worked out, so this one will take some time.

Is there a scenario that could play out where the Jays platoon Dalton Pompey and Anthony Alford in center and move on from Kevin Pillar?
-- @craigballard77

I don't see it happening this spring. Pompey's only real shot to make the team is as a fourth outfielder, and I just don't believe that Alford is being given a realistic shot to make the team. I think the plan all along for Alford, who is ranked as Toronto's No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is to start the year at Buffalo and then be forced into earning a promotion.

It also seems pretty clear to me that the Blue Jays prefer using Alford in a corner-outfield spot. Last season in Buffalo, Alford spent less than half of his time in center, and if Toronto is serious about developing him up the middle, he should be playing there a lot more than that. Alford's opportunity will come at some point this season, but Opening Day doesn't seem likely at all, despite his strong spring (1.230 OPS and four homers).

Assuming Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker, Clayton Richard and Clay Buchholz make the starting rotation, the Jays seem to have a lot more depth compared to years past on their Triple-A team. What do you see Buffalo's rotation looking like, and who's most likely to get the call if needed?
--Trevor M., Gimli, MB

It seems pretty doubtful to me that Buchholz will have enough time to get ready by Opening Day. I'd have Ryan Borucki starting over him, and then if Richard struggles in early April, Buchholz would be there to take his spot. That means I still have Borucki projected to be a full-time starter for this team, even though the Blue Jays have yet to guarantee him anything.

With that in mind, there are a lot of arms in the mix at Buffalo. Sean Reid-Foley, Thomas Pannone, Jacob Waguespack, Jon Harris and Sam Gaviglio are the early season options. The rehabbing Julian Merryweather and T.J. Zeuch will eventually be added to that list as well, so there are plenty of options here. First in line for a promotion is Reid-Foley.