If there's ever a time to dream, this is it.

The slow awakening to cold hard facts begins tomorrow, when the Blue 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 (returning 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, a mishmash of reclamation projects and veterans on their last legs, while internal help from ready-or-not 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 on April 6 for opening day, and realistically makes the thought of playoff contention seem like fantasy.

"I don't think we should go in with any preconceived notion of what we're going to be,'' general manager J.P. Ricciardi said of his plans for the spring during an interview 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 range bears responsibility for Ricciardi'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 (apparently ready to go after missing most of 2008 with a concussion) 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 help ease the load off whichever quartet follows Halladay. But the offence must step up and share the heavy lifting to avoid disaster.

More is expected of first baseman Lyle Overbay and third baseman Scott Rolen, and if they can deliver, the lineup should greatly improve.

Youngsters 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. Veteran infielder Kevin Millar was signed to a minor-league deal as insurance if they falter.

"Offensively, I think we have a chance of being a better team than we have been the last couple of years,'' said Ricciardi. "And we should be.''

Either way, the group that breaks camp isn't likely to be the group that finishes the season. Several prospects are pushing hard for the majors, like catcher J.P. Arencibia, some players are bound to struggle, and a change in organizational direction is, perhaps, on the horizon if interim CEO Paul Beeston settles on a new president.

HOW THEY LOOK

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: Knology 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.