But when the global economy turned south and the decision was made to reduce payroll, Ricciardi's plan was put on the shelf.

The mantra then became that the Jays would go with youth in left field with Travis Snider and also at the DH spot with Adam Lind. Both players hit from the left side.

Recently, though, the Jays readjusted their thinking and decided that going with two inexperienced left-handed bats at those spots could expose them to left-handed pitching.

So the wooing of Millar began, and along with the right-handed-hitting Jose Bautista, it gives the Jays some platoon options.

"That's the plan, we'll see how spring training goes," Ricciardi said. "If Snider does well -- he doesn't have to come in here and play unbelievable, but he's got to play well enough that we feel comfortable going with him -- he'll be in left and Lind with be the DH.

"Millar will DH against some left-handers and play some first base if it works out and he makes the team."

Count on that to happen.

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.