The slow awakening to cold, hard facts begins tomorrow, when the Jays open camp in Dunedin, Fla., after not signing a single major-league free agent to bolster a team that finished fourth in the American League East at 86-76.

The departure of 18-game winner A.J. Burnett and injuries to fellow starters Dustin McGowan (back in May at the earliest) and Shaun Marcum (out all year) left massive holes in the starting rotation, while an all-too-often dismal offence is coming back virtually intact.

External help may come from a slew of minor-league free agent signings, reclamation projects and veterans on their last legs, while internal help from prospects and self-improvement is also being counted on to fill the gaps.

So, unlike recent camps, that leaves the Blue Jays with plenty of questions to answer before Detroit arrives in Toronto, April 6, for Opening Day.

"I don't think we should go in with any preconceived notion of what we're going to be," said GM J.P. Ricciardi of his plans for the spring this week.

"We've got to figure out what our starting rotation will be outside of Doc (Roy Halladay) and (Jesse) Litsch, and how it falls into place. Our bullpen is in good shape and, outside of that, we have to figure out how we best fill out our bench."

A payroll slashed from nearly $100-million US to the low $80-million US range bears responsibility for J.P.'s inaction during the off-season, leaving him little room to manoeuvre in a market depressed by the world's economic turmoil.

The core of last year's team returns, led by Halladay, centre-fielder Vernon Wells, right-fielder Alex Rios, second baseman Aaron Hill and closer B.J. Ryan.

But a pitching staff that was Baseball's best will have trouble repeating without Burnett, Marcum and, temporarily at least, McGowan.

In the mix for the final three rotation sports are: minor-league free agents Matt Clement and Mike Maroth; Japanese veteran Ken Takahashi; lefty David Purcey, who was 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA in 12 starts last season; prospects Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero and Brad Mills; and Scott Richmond of North Vancouver, who went 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA in five starts last year.

A strong bullpen, led by Ryan and Scott Downs, should ease the load off whichever quartet follows Halladay. But the offence must step up.

More is expected of first baseman Lyle Overbay and third baseman Scott Rolen. Adam Lind, envisioned as the DH right now, and top prospect Travis Snider, seen as the left-fielder, could also give the batting order some extra pop.

"I don't think we're going in with less expectations. I think we're going in thinking, 'Let's be the best possible team we can be,'" Ricciardi said. "We're not going to know what type of team we're going to be until the season gets going. I'd like to think we can be competitive and, hopefully, play well enough that we may have a chance to do some things come the trade deadline."

Spring training quick facts

A quick look at the 2009 Toronto Blue Jays as they open spring training:

Manager: Cito Gaston.

2008: 86-76, fourth in the American League East.

Spring home: Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin, Fla.

Hello: C Michael Barrett, RHP Bryan Bullington, LHP Brian Burres, RHP Matt Bush, C Raul Chavez, RHP Matt Clement, INF Brandon Fahey, OF Jason Lane, OF Adam Loewen, LHP Mike Maroth, INF Kevin Millar, DH Randy Ruiz.

Goodbye: RHP A.J. Burnett, OF Kevin Mench, LHP John Parrish, OF Brad Wilkerson, C Gregg Zaun.

Burning questions: What will the rotation look like behind Roy Halladay? Can the offence compensate for the loss of pitching? What is the organization's long-term plan?