Gone are A.J. Burnett, who kicked in his opt-out clause and signed with the Yankees, as well as young right-handers Shawn Marcum, who is out for the season following Tommy John elbow surgery and Dustin McGowan, who is expected back by June following shoulder surgery.

The list of candidates for the three open spots is lengthy.

Left-hander David Purcey, who was 3-6 in 12 starts in 2008, is a leading candidate, as is right-hander Casey Janssen, who missed 2008 after coming down with a shoulder injury last March. They are hardly sure things.

Heading up the longshot list are two veterans who haven't pitched in the big leagues in the last two years because of shoulder problems -- right-hander Matt Clement and left-hander Mike Maroth.

The Blue Jays have gone down this road in the past with zero success. They are praying that one of those two can grab a job and keep it until McGowan returns.

While the rotation is up in the air, the Blue Jays are set everywhere else.

Their bullpen was one of the strengths last season and will be counted on even more so this season given the uncertainty of the rotation.

Offensively, the Blue Jays are hoping that the influence of hitting coach Gene Tenace and manager Cito Gaston can result in bounce-back seasons for the likes of center fielder Vernon Wells, first baseman Lyle Overbay and third baseman Scott Rolen.

The Blue Jays also hope 2009 will be a season of growth for two of their young hitters, designated hitter Adam Lind and 21-year-old left fielder Travis Snider.

A year ago, the Blue Jays entered spring training with thoughts of contending. This year, it's a season of rebuilding.

WHERE, WHEN: Knology Park, Dunedin, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the New York Yankees.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 3B Scott Rolen is a five-time All-Star but has been dogged by shoulder problems since 2005. In his first season with the Blue Jays, Rolen made two trips to the disabled list and was limited to 115 games, batting .262 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI. After an August stint on the disabled list because of a shoulder strain, Rolen made the decision to change his batting stroke and drop his hands lower to take some of the strain off his left shoulder. The result was he was able to drive the ball with more authority and finished the season by batting .307 with three home runs and 11 RBI over his final 25 games. Manager Cito Gaston is looking for Rolen to have a big bounce-back season.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: LHP Jesse Carlson came from nowhere -- actually it was Class AAA Syracuse -- to post superb numbers after being promoted on April 10. Carlson made 69 relief appearances, going 7-2 with a 2.25 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .196 average. It will be interesting to see if Carlson can be as dominating in his second season, or if the batters have adjusted to him.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: It was a bit of a shock when general manager J.P. Ricciardi elected to go with 64-year-old Cito Gaston after he made the decision to fire John Gibbons on June 20. But under Gaston, the club responded in positive fashion, going 51-37 to finish 10 games over .500 with an 86-76 record. Gaston, along with hitting coach Gene Tenace, promoted a more aggressive style at the plate, and the offense improved under their tutelage. It will be interesting to see if a full spring training and season under the direction of Gaston and Tenace can produce a breakout season for RF Alex Rios plus a return to form for CF Vernon Wells and 1B Lyle Overbay.